An Exploration of the Rise and Demise of England's Fever Hospitals
Speaker: Professor Elizabeth Mason-Whitehead
Date and Time: Wednesday, 3rd June, 4 pm,
Location: Wheeler, Chester
Room: CRV 012
Wednesday, 3 June, 4 pm, CRV012, Professor Elizabeth Mason-Whitehead, Less than Splendid Isolation: An Exploration of the Rise and Demise of England's Fever Hospitals
Our interest in the 1918-20 flu pandemic (Spanish flu) would re-emerge a century later when we turned back to history to seek ways to overcome another global pandemic. Improvements in housing and sanitation, immunisation and antibiotics have all contributed to the decline in infectious diseases, but for previous generations, death from fevers was not uncommon, and fever hospitals were built throughout the country. In 1914, there were 755 fever hospitals in the UK treating and nursing up to 3000 patients with a variety of infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, diphtheria, smallpox, typhus and Spanish flu. This paper explores the rise and demise of fever (latterly known as isolation) hospitals, the people who worked there, patients and the surrounding communities, including Cheshire and the city of Chester.
All are welcome to attend these in-person talks. Booking is encouraged for refreshment and seating purposes and in case there are any last-minute changes (contact details below). Please check the event listings for updates to the programme: www.chester.ac.uk/events (scroll down to see the individual events). Access to the event venue is via a flight of steps. For those with limited mobility, there is an accessible route and please pre-book to arrange this access. fhsc.histsoc@chester.ac.uk or 01244 512963.
The Wheeler building is located in the centre of Chester on Castle Drive by the River Dee. It is accessible via the M53, A55, A483, A51 and A41, and public transport from the city centre.
Address
University of Chester, Castle Drive, Chester, CH1 1SLThere are cycle shelters at Queen’s Park which are marked with a yellow circle and the letter C on University location maps.
Chester railway station is a 20-minute walk from Wheeler and the Arriva 1 and 11 run frequent services that stop within a short walking distance. The Arrowebrook Coaches 26 also stops nearby. Parking is not available for students at Wheeler, however, all three Park and Ride routes, PR1, PR2 and PR3 have connections within walking distance to the site.
For alternative car parks, including the nearby Little Roodee, see the Cheshire West and Chester Council website.