Memories Of Shotley Bridge Hospital

A Memory of Shotley Bridge.

Following several years as an outpatient at Newcastle General hospital, I was admitted to Shotley Bridge hospital in October 1959 where I had open heart surgery on 27 October to repair two holes in my heart. Circulation was arrested for a total of just over 10 minutes and my body temperature was reduced to 30°C during the operation. I was 10 years old at the time.

The ward I was in was one of many wooden buildings constructed to accommodate wounded soldiers during the war. It might not have looked much from the outside, but the inside put many modern hospitals to shame.

My consultant at Newcastle was Mr C B Henderson, and the operation was carried out at Shotley Bridge by Mr George A Mason. Mr Henderson wrote a detailed letter to my GP following the operation, and when my GP retired he handed the letter to my mother. I still have the original.

One of the highlights of my time in the hospital, if the operation was not a highlight in itself, was when a helicopter landed in the hospital grounds. I watched from a window. I never did find out why it landed there. It was rare to see a helicopter so close in those days.

I made a full recovery, and have led a normal life. Until a couple of years ago I had no related problems, although a recent medical condition may be connected. Not bad going!

I have never returned to Shotley Bridge since then, but saw Mr Henderson in Newcastle at least once after the operation

I wonder how many others who had similar operations all those years ago are still around to tell their stories.

13 years ago I moved to France where I now live. I have fully restored two houses in Normandy, including the old farmhouse where I now live with my dog Charlie and cat Rufus. Earlier this year I became a French citizen.

Peter Walker