The first Maldon hospital was a weatherboard building constructed in High Street in 1858. After this building proved inadequate, a £10 prize was offered for a more suitable design.

Local architect David Drape won the prize and by December 1860 the first wing based on his drawings was opened for male patients. Following the opening, the Tarrangower Times published the Hospital’s rules.

The first rule required the Hospital to provide medical and surgical aid to poor persons ‘irrespective of their creed, country or colour’, and for casualties. It went on however to say that any person found able to afford medical aid would be liable for all expenses incurred for their treatment.

The rules excluded any female or child under five years old from being admitted as a patient, presumably on the basis that they would be treated at the old hospital. Men who were insane, suffering from syphilis, any infectious disease or chronic paralysis were not to be admitted.

Under the rules, the Hospital’s Board would comprise of eight trustees elected by subscribers plus three honorary medical officers.

A Committee of Management would be responsible for the Hospital’s operation and would consist of the Board members, an honorary secretary plus six other elected subscribers.

The Committee would meet on the first Monday of each month and had broad powers to employ staff and make regulations regarding the Hospital’s operations.

Patients admitted to the Hospital were expected to be subscribers. The standard subscription fee was £1 per annum, paid in advance. This fee allowed the subscriber to be admitted once in each year.

By paying additional fees, subscribers could recommend others for admission. Men who were destitute could also be nominated as patients by a subscriber or a justice of the peace.

The rules set down the duties of the Hospital’s various officers and staff. At least one medical officer was expected to attend each day and provide a daily report.

They were also required to consult on important cases and to perform all surgical operations.

One-third of the rules related to the role of the resident dispenser, who was responsible for the daily running of the Hospital. He was required to live at the Hospital and not to absent himself for more than two hours without permission.

The dispenser had complete control of the nursing staff and orderlies and also of the patients when a medical officer was not present. He was responsible for all of the Hospital’s supplies and equipment and also the dispensing of drugs.

He was also responsible for the good conduct of staff and patients and the cleanliness of the Hospital and the grounds. He was required to make detailed reports to the Committee.

There were also rules covering the role of the collector of subscriptions and the conduct of visitors to the Hospital. The rules ended with a suggested wording for making bequests to the Hospital in wills. This information was supplied by the Maldon Museum and Archives.

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 4 November 2022 2022.