Comments on: Remembering The Queen Elizabeth Hospital For Children

By: Susan Prager

Susan Prager — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 03:47:00 +0000

It is as if it were yesterday that I remember a stay at the Hospital seventy years ago. I was afflicted with congenital hip dysplasia, but I did not get treatment till a couple of years later; I have since come to understand that NHS treatment was frequently delayed. The doctor performed what was then the accepted technique of manipulation.

Yes Jean Summers…I remember the “Incy-Wincy Spider” doctor. My first night, I wanted him to recite it over and over again (I had never heard or saw it performed before and the young doctor was so friendly); it took an older boy in the next bed to clue me in. He said, “I think they want you to go to sleep.” I turned over obediently and was out like a light. The next thing, I knew, was that it was morning and I was staring out through a tall window on the other side of the bed, wondering what was out there. And Wendy Harrison Spurling and Michael Howes…I remember my parents saying the name, Dr. Hindenach. Your comments brought it back to me. He may have been the one, who operated on me. I had an impression of him being a middling aged man at the time, but from what you write, Mick, he was still around years later.

I have lived in the US now for many years, but I never forgot my Hackney Downs, Springfield Park, Ridley Market with Joe the fisherman, Evering Road, Rupert, and Noddy, and if any of these names of my play mate friends ring a bell with anybody – Jadia and Stanley Mitchell and Ingrid Austin, please give them my best.

By: Julie

Julie — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 16:25:51 +0000

My mum, Jean Rumming worked there as a nurse and I think trained there. She died aged 67yrs she would have been 87 now. I have a mug from there with the hospital crest it was bought towards the children’s fund.

By: DMJ Barry QSO FRCP FRACP DCH

DMJ Barry QSO FRCP FRACP DCH — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 04:01:32 +0000

House Surgeon at QEH 1966-7. With dear friend and fellow paediatric specialist Kim Cheetham

By: Michael Howes

Michael Howes — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 21:16:08 +0000

Hello.
Dr. Hildenach operated on my achilles tendon in 1965. I still remember him although I was only 7.
Check out:-

https://livesonline.rcseng.ac.uk/client/en_GB/lives/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ASSET$002f0$002fSD_ASSET:379514/one

All the best,
Mick

By: WENDY Harrison née Spurling

WENDY Harrison née Spurling — Sun, 06 Feb 2022 14:26:12 +0000

Hi I was just wondering if anybody remembers mr/doctor Hiidernach i was In
And out Queens about 1951 /54 with a hip disorder.

By: Joanne Garden

Joanne Garden — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 02:44:34 +0000

Hi Everyone I am Joanne Garden and I was a patient at QEB and GHOS from 1981 to 1989. I have Mild Spina Bifida and Osteomyelitis. I spent most of my childhood in this wonderful hospital and mostly on Goldsmith and Bailey ward and a few visits to Princess Elizabeth Ward. I was under the Care of Andrew Jackson Orthopaedic Surgeon and Professor Richard Hayward at GHOS. I remember you Nurse Madeline and Being on Surprise Surprise with you in 1984.
You were such a kind a cheerful nurse. I Remember Susie Tinker well and Nurse Jenny and Belinda Tye. And in later teens Sr Maggie on Goldsmith Ward. I am sorry to hear about Mr Tiller passing. He used give me my IV meds when he was on nights and always had a kind word. I don’t know if any of you remember Tony Fog Mr Jacksons Registrar he sadly passed away s few years ago. Does anyone know what happened to Mr Jackson he gave me good care even when O was a bolshy teenager. I just wish QEB had never been closed but the good work and kindness of the Staff their will always stay in my heart. Bless you all Jo.

By: ken ihme

ken ihme — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 22:24:23 +0000

I worked as a Security guard there from ’95 until about 6 months after closure, It remains to this day the most enjoyable job I ever had, all the staff were wonderful, I have such fond memories of the people I worked with there, Peter Snelling I Remember you and your Nephew who worked in Stores and so many of the porters, Tariq, the two Steve’s and Big Paul and wonderful memories of Morag who was the dietician and Dave Bertolla who was night-time switchboard operator, memories and flooding back now, I am glad they kept the frontage.
To all that worked there at that time I hope you are in good health and happy, Love you all
Ken

By: Catherine Godsill

Catherine Godsill — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 17:31:26 +0000

I trained at GOS between 1976 – 80 and my first ever placement was on the neonatal ward and I was terrified!! We lived in the Nurses home then, but on a later placement on Observation Ward, which I loved, we had to catch the minibus from GOS to Hackney….and you couldn’t be late!

By: MARGARET SHEPHERD

MARGARET SHEPHERD — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 11:34:10 +0000

I had a sister, Joyce Rose Shepherd, who died in Hoxton, at the age of 10, in May 1941. I never knew her, as I was born in April 1944. My parents were too traumatised by her death to talk much about her but my mother did tell me she was in a dance group. I have very little to remember her by and , but I do have a medal, with her name engraved on the back:
J. SHEPHERD. RAINBOW JUVENILES. 24.10.1938. On the front of the medal are inscribed
the words: A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE FOR YOUR HELP. On the perimeter of the medal are the words: THE QUEEN’S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN. LONDON E2. My sister must have visited the hospital with her dance group, the Rainbow Juveniles, to entertain the sick children and this medal was given to her and the other Juveniles as a mark of gratitude. It still has its piece of ribbon and a pin! If anyone has any information about the Rainbow Juveniles, I would be delighted to know. My cousin, Professor John Shepherd, wrote a book, published in 2002, called “George Lansbury – At the Heart of Old Labour”. 2021 marks the centenary of the “Poplar Rates Rebellion’, led by Lansbury.

By: Janice walker(nee Eastoe)

Janice walker(nee Eastoe) — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 19:12:12 +0000

Hi am trying to get in touch with Linda Amos,Norma bromfield and Kate Evans who were with me 1968/1969.would love to be in touch.