Catalogue description Folios 391-394. Letter from R B Spencer [Richard Birch Spencer], Clerk to the Guardians...

Folios 391-394. Letter from R B Spencer [Richard Birch Spencer], Clerk to the Guardians of the Basford Poor Law Union, to the Poor Law Board, acknowledging their letter of 22 November 1867 concerning the workhouse inspection on 11 November 1865 by H B Farnall, Poor Law Inspector. Enclosed is a copy of the report of the Visiting Committee, dated 16 November 1867 and signed by Noah Birch, Chairman.

The clerk stresses the care and attention paid to the inmates, particularly the nursing care. He also states that the proposed plans for a new hospital and receiving wards are in hand although the purchase of the land has not yet been agreed. However assurances from the vendor's solicitors suggest the matter will be expedited as soon as possible.

The report of the visiting committee concerns various matters: fixing of ventilators to privy roofs; use of washing troughs; laying coconut matting to many areas used by the inmates; straw mattresses for the beds of sick and aged inmates; additional furniture and clothing as recommended.

Regarding the receiving wards and other changes to the internal structure of the workhouse, the committee consider that these can be addressed when the proposed new buildings are erected.

Annotated: H B Farnall, [Poor Law Inspector]. Request guardians to forward plans as soon as possible. As other delays are anticipated this will enable building to commence next spring. Regarding the state of the workhouse, the guardians should be urged to do away with the washing troughs, and, however willing, one nurse cannot be expected to properly care for so many patients.

Attached is a note drafted at the Poor Law Board concerning the workhouse of the Basford Poor Law Union. The note recalls that the proposal to purchase land from the Duke of Newcastle for a new hospital was abandoned and the building committee, in their report of 15 January 1867, recommended that seven acres of land immediately adjoining and on the north side of the workhouse be purchased from the trustees of the Ruddington Charities. Although the guardians did not report acceptance of this proposal, Mr Farnall [Poor Law Inspector] considered the land suitable.

Write to the guardians to inform them that the land cannot be purchased without the consent of the Board. Enquire if the land is that reported upon by the building committee in January last and whether the land is freehold and the terms of sale the same as previously reported.

The guardians' attention should be called to other matters concerning the workhouse as detailed in Mr Farnall's annotation on 46407/1868 [washing troughs and proper care of patients by one nurse only].

Paper Number: 46407/1867.

Poor Law Union Number: 334.

Counties: Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.