County Hospital

1826 description:

THE DISPENSARY, AND COUNTY INFIRMARY

, was founded in 1809, under the patronage of HIS PRESENT MAJESTY, "and it is a form of charity, established on the most unobjectionable principles. Extending its hand when most needed, to those who are incapable, by sickness or accident, of assisting themselves." A Donation of £5 5s. or an Annual Subscription of 21s. entitles the donor to recommend patients to the Institution.

In 1812, the Earl of Chichester suggested the idea of extending the objects of this Institution. The Sussex General Infirmary, was added to the Dispensary in 1813. The Right Honourable Earl of Egremont, made an attempt to erect a commodious Hospital, and offered to contribute the princely sum of £1000 towards the object, to which he has recently added another £1000, making a sum of £2000; but although other gentlemen came forward on the occasion, it has been deferred for want of means. But we are happy to state, that a considerable degree of public spirit has been recently displayed towards this important object; and in a short time we hope to see a building, that shall do honour to its generous benefactors, and the town, and confer a lasting blessing on those, who shall be admitted into the Establishment. A site of ground has been chosen on the estate of T.R. Kemp Esq. M.P. who has most generously presented it to the Committee, besides a Donation (we believe) of 1000.

— , J. Whittemore, , Whittemore's Royal Brighton Guide, , 1826

1838 description:

THE COUNTY HOSPITAL

Is situated a little distance north of the Marine Parade, near St. George's Chapel. The building was erected by the voluntary contributions of the public, and is maintained by subscriptions; each subscriber of two guineas being a governor, and enabled to recommend annually one in-patient, and so in proportion. Every donor of twenty-five guineas is a governor for life, and has the same privileges as the subscriber of two guineas.

Not only is relief afforded to the inhabitants of the county, but any patient will be received on the recommendation of a governor, provided they are not in the several states of disease specifically mentioned in the prospectus of the institution. Accidents are received immediately, without recommendation.

There is also a fever ward in a building detached from the Hospital, subject to the same regulations as above, in which every patient must be provided with two changes of linen, and pay five shillings weekly, during his stay in the place, and the four first weeks in advance.

The funds of the establishment are at present in a flourishing condition, and the benefits which are derived from the institution are very extensive. The want of additional wards for the purpose of separating the sick from the convalescent patients, and thereby accelerating the recovery of both, having been long felt by the medical officers of the Hospital, a few benevolent individuals have commenced a fund to be exclusively applied to the erection of such wards under the name of the Victoria Wing.

— , Saunders, , The Stranger's Guide in Brighton; Being a Complete Companion to that Fashionable Place, and the Rides and Drives in Its Vicinity., , 1838