Catalogue description BASILDON AND THURROCK HEALTH AUTHORITY

The South East Essex Hospital Management Committee was formed in July 1948. Acting under the North East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, it served the then Urban Districts of Billericay and Thurrock, and thus became responsible subsequently for the area of Basildon New Town. It appeared from A/HB 1/1/6, 7 that the committee's title changed c. 1956 to the 'Tilbury and South East Essex Hospital Management Committee Group', but this did not indicate a change in function. According to Queenie M. Jackson's A Brief History of St. Andrew's Hospital Billericay, Essex 1840-1982 (1983) the committee was replaced in 1966 by the South Essex Hospital Management Committee; in 1974 by the Basildon and Thurrock District Management Team of the Essex Area Health Authority; and in 1982 by the Basildon and Thurrock Health Authority.

Administration was through a series of central sub-committees, each hospital also having a house committee. Hospitals taken over in 1948 were as follows:

St. Andrew's Hospital, Billericay

Buildings originated 1840 as workhouse of Billericay Poor Law Union. In 1930 became Public Assistance Institution, run by Essex County Council, and used for chronic sick and elderly. Taken over 1948 by South East Essex Hospital Management Committee; surgical, out-patients and other services added from 1950. Recognized 1954 as general training school for nurses.Ceased to be general hospital on opening 1973 of Basildon Hospital, becoming regional plastic surgery and rehabilitation unit. Regional burns unit opened 1982. See Queenie M. Jackson's A Brief History of St. Andrew's Hospital Billericay, Essex 1840-1982 in E.R.O. Library.

Mayflower Hospital, Billericay

Originated before 1896 as Billericay Isolation Hospital, maintained by Billericay Rural District Council. Acquired 1938 by South East Essex Joint Hospital Board, and 1948 by South Essex Hospital Management Committee. Run by latter as Gooseberry Green Annexe' to St. Andrew's Hospital, Billericay, being used both for infectious cases and for walking sick. From c.1955 reserved for elderly patients. Known as Mayflower Hospital from 1960s.

Langdon Hills Hospital, Laindon

Site acquired by West Ham County Borough Council 1912, and hospital for child tuberculosis patients opened 1927. Taken over 1948 by South East Essex Hospital Management Committee, and converted 1950 to take adult male tuberculosis patients from whole North East Metropolitan region. Considered as site for new hospital to serve Basildon New Town. Closed December 1957.

Orsett Hospital

Originated as workhouse of parish and later of Orsett Poor Law Union. In 1930 became Public Assistance Institution, run by Essex County Council, and used for chronic sick and elderly. Taken over 1948 by South East Essex Hospital Management Committee, and developed by them into general hospital. In 1950 became Orsett branch of Tilbury and Riverside General hospital, and recognized as such as general training school for nurses. In 1953 chosen in preference to Tilbury Hospital as main hospital for Thurrock area, and re-development included c.1957 among schemes to be financed by central government.

Thurrock Hospital, Stifford Long Lane, Little Thurrock

In existence by 1892 (see County Medical Officer of Health's annual report for that year, pp.115-116), as an isolation hospital for the Orsett Rural Sanitary District. Enlarged in 1893-1894 and reorganized 1898 (ibid., for years stated). Taken over 1901 by Orsett Joint (with Grays Urban District) Hospital Board; 1936 by Thurrock Urban District Council; 1948 by South East Essex Hospital Management Committee, being used for infectious diseases and male tuberculosis cases. Headquarters of committee's administration until early 1970s, and of nurses' training school 1949- 1967. In 1960s became geriatric hospital. See Queenie M. Jackson's very Brief History of Thurrock Hospital. Essex (n.d.) in E.R.O. Library.

Tilbury Hospital

Originated as Passmore Edwards District Cottage Hospital, for dock workers. Taken over 1924 by Seamen's Hospital Society, renamed Tilbury Hospital, and largely rebuilt over following years. Taken over 1948 by South East Essex Hospital Management Committee, being then the only hospital for acute surgical cases in the committee's area. In 1950 became Tilbury branch of Tilbury and Riverside General Hospital (combining Tilbury and Orsett Hospitals), and as such recognized as a general training school for nurses. In-patient work transferred to Orsett Hospital 1969.

South Essex Hospital Management Committee, 1966-1974

South East Essex Hospital Management Committee, 1948-1956

Tilbury and South East Essex Hospital Management Committee Group, 1956-1966

• Basildon, Essex
• Billericay, Essex
• Thurrock, Essex
• Tilbury, Essex

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