1920

Thomas GRAHAM (mason) dies in service after working for 32 years, it is also reported that Robert DYMOCK former engineer for many years has also died.

Newcastle patients start to return.

Morpeth Olympic Games Committee request to use Mount Haggs Field, this is agreed.

A letter from the Board of Control suggests that chaplains should receive tuition in psychology delivered by the medical superintendent, they also express concern that nurses are sharing a beds at night due to over crowding (common practice for two to share the same bed).

1921

Almost all Newcastle patients have now left leading to the closure of one of the villas an some staff made redundant.

Dr DUNLOP Assistant Medical Officer resigns and is replaced by a Dr R. Vincent MONAHAN

Coquedale Agricultural Show request permission to use Cottingwood, this requested is agreed.

1922

Robert HARDING Head Gardener resigns and the post is advertised at £2 per week. A Bert McCABE is appointed.

A male nurse hangs himself on the 24th of December in Newbiggin.

A Miss L BIGGINS appointed head laundress with an Edmund APPLEBY from High House Farm, Morpeth appointed to the post of Farm Bailiff after the death of the previous Farm Bailiff also called APPLEBY

The death of Amy TURNER (late matron) is reported.

The Medical Superintendent reports that weekly dances are being held with at least 90 patients attending. He goes on to say that patients, on occasion, visit the local picture house and that the staff had a staff dance at new year.

Dr MONAHAN leaves to take up a post in Ireland and is replaced by a Dr SMYTH.

1923

The Committee appoints a second medical officer ar a cost of £400 per year.  Miss Elizabeth TURNER former matron has died.

A mechanical restraint (gloves) are used to prevent a patient scratching.

The commissioners from the Board of control note that the Certificate of the Medico Psychological Association is held by 23 attendants and 4 nurses.

Just over 85 acres of land are purchased by the Committee from the Trustees of the late Mrs ANDERSON.

1924

Male nurse dies (G A FRAZER) after working at the hospital for 35 years, hiw widow was given a gratuity of £190.  A Thomas FLANAGAN and a Mark ARNOTT also die in-service.

The new house for the Assistant Medical Officer is being built and a Dr. MOYES moves in later in the year. It is also observed that three nurses are sharing a room (originally for one) with two nurses sleeping in the same bed at night.  The board of commissioners also note that kitchen staff are living in a hut.

Dr MOYES visits the male side and expressed concern about the slackness and lack of discipline noting 2 patients were in seclusion without permission.  On Ward 6 he found attendants sleeping, two attendants were playing cards for money with patients.  Then on ward 3, a further attendant was found asleep.  This event led to the resignation of the Chief Male Nurse.  A J. BOWLES appointed Chief Nurse. the weekly charge is now 23 shillings and 4d.

Due to the problem in recruiting nurses and the overcrowding the Committee begin consideration of building a nurses home.

1925

A William SANDERSON is appointed Inspector.

Tenders are received estimated at £20,000 for the building of the nurses home with 53 nurses cubicles, two sick rooms and five cubicles for maids.

M.B. LUMLEY appointed Clerk and steward on the first November with a salary of £550. The cost per week is now 23 shillings and 1d.

Dr EAST begins a trial of inducted malaria.

Dr ILLINGWORTH is appointed as the new Deputy Medical Superintendent

1926

Dr ILLINGWORTH begins his new job

The cooking apparatus in the kitchen is described as most unsatisfactory so the Committee visit other institutions and recommend to undertake improvements at a cost of £820.

1927

Board of control in their annual report note that there no facilities on providing refreshments to visitors when visiting patients and suggests that the Committee explore this situation.

1928

A telephone system is to be installed at a cost of £344 and 5 shillings.

In this year it was agreed by the committee that any nurse or attendant who fails to pass any examination should have their proficiency payment withheld and if it was felt that any were not making the effort, they would be dismissed.

Wages are raised for female nursing staff from 27 shillings and 3d to thirty shillings and 5d.

The nurses home is completed and ready for occupation; a home sister is employed for the nurses home who will also act as a sister tutor, she is Miss Norah Bilson SKILLBECK, employed at £120 per year with board, lodgings laundry and uniform. 

There are improvements for female patients as the old pattern of women beds are replaced. A cinema is installed in the main hall.

Staffing now consists of 11 male charge nurses and 51 ordinary staff with 10 males on night duty. On the female side there are 7 charge nurses and 33 ordinary with 8 night staff

Ten candidates were successful in obtaining their Mental Health Certificates. It is reported that Mr WELSH former storekeeper has died.  A nurse BOUSEFLIELD has been appointed temporary assistant matron later a Bertha G TOOKE appointed assistant matron at salary of £150 per year with board and lodgings, laundry and uniform.

A wireless set was presented to the hospital. 12 candidates pass the Preliminary Examination for Mental Health nursing.

1929

Sister SKILLBECK resigns due to illness. The matron Miss ROFF resigns . Dr ILLINGWORTH is involved in a road traffic accident sustaining serious injuries to his head and face.  Ada ROBINSON assistant matron at Gloucester Mental Health Hospital appointed house sister and tutor.

Population (60 years after it was built for 200 patients):

With a weekly charge of 20s 5d owe week.

A female patient gives birth to a male son which is removed to Tynemouth Workhouse. 

Agreed for tennis court for nurses home.

Rev TW ALLEN Appointed Chaplain following he resignation of Rev J.J.DAVIES.

Frederick COLTMAN, a nurse dies

Female nurses start a 48 hour week from October.

Charles ALKIN resigns as Visiting Engineer, a position he has had for 19 years.

Tennis courts are installed near the nurses home where in October 60 nurses are in accommodation. A Bull House is also built.

It is also reported that on the two male side villas are managed on an open door principle.

During the year there is an outbreak of dysentery affecting 67 patients one of whom died.

There is a call for a laboritory to be built with a lab technician so that they can begin treatment for paralysis of the insane. (induced malaria).