| Doctors
and Hospitals
In 1802 the Reading Dispensary was opened in Chain Street. This was
founded by a group of local doctors who helped the poor with medical
help for no charge. During the building of Sonning Cutting on the Railway
it provided care for some of those hurt. It was rebuilt in 1848.
One man, Richard Oliver, worked hard to get Reading a hospital. He even
wrote to King William IV to ask for help. In
May 1839 The Royal Berkshire Hospital Opened. The land for the hospital
had been given by Viscount Sidmouth and the money for the building raised
by public subscription- those that could afford to gave money for the
hospital. The hospital was built in the Classical style with the architect
being Henry Briant. Its 80 beds were soon to few for all the patients
who flocked to the hospital. Matters were not helped by the many accidents
in Sonning Cutting, and the Great Western Railway gave money to the
hospital to help pay for the treatment the navvies received.
By 1866 there were 120 beds in the hospital.
In 1841 the Reading Pathological Society was formed by members of staff
at the hospital to help increase the knowledge of medicine.
Royal Berkshire Hospital being rebuilt and Battle will close.
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