Salisbury Maternity team mark 100 years of caring
The Beatrice Ward pre-dates the NHS
Last updated 13th Jul 2022
Salisbury District Hospital has been celebrating 100 years since a maternity award opened for the city's mothers and babies.
The Beatrice Ward opened at the Salisbury General Infirmary back in 1922, and kept the name when it relocated to the Odstock site.
The ward is 26 years older than the NHS itself.
A special birthday cake's been unveiled at the current unit to mark the anniversary.
Abi Kingston, Clinical Director of Women and Newborn, Chief Nursing Officer at SDH Judy Dyos and colleagues from across the Maternity Team joined the celebrations.
Abi Kingston said:
“This is a fabulous achievement. It’s a great day to reflect on where we’ve been and think about the next 100 years of Beatrice Ward.”
The ward got its name in recognition of two important local names - the Countess of Pembroke of the time, Beatrice Eleanor Herbert and the then-Dowager Countess of Pembroke, Beatrix Louisa.
At the time, Earls of Pembroke, from Wilton House, were the President of Salisbury Infirmary.