Prior to the construction of Heywood's first hospital local people often had to rely on Doctors from Portland or not have a Doctor at all.
Patients went to Portland on horse back, some in spring carts and drays, some in bullock wagons and people even rode on the back of bullocks.

Following a diphtheria epidemic early last century in which eight young children died, local towns people decided it was time for Heywood to have a fulltime resident Doctor.

A public meeting was called and a fund started to bring a Doctor to the town. The townspeople were successful - a Dr Davis arrived and then later a Dr Yeville.

A later Doctor, Dr R Collins saw the great need for a hospital and founded a private hospital known as 'Dawnleigh' Hospital in 1893. This was later to become the Heywood Bush Nursing Hospital.

The present Heywood & District Memorial Hospital was planned by this Bush Nursing Hospital Committee of Management. The President at the time (The late Mr Vie Sibley) was a very active proponent of the new hospital.

The Committee often met in an old wooden building next to the Heywood Hotel; they sat on old wooden benches, using the light from old storm lanterns, to carefully prepare the plans for the new hospital.
Historical records indicate that 'finance was a problem'.

After lengthy discussions the Bush Nursing Hospital was finally accepted as an annex of the Gleneig Base Hospital (Now the Western District Health Service), and as such came under the auspices of the Hospital and Charities Commission and therefore qualified for Government grants.
Land was purchased and a six bed hospital was erected.

This facility was opened by Dr J Lindell (Chairman of the Hospital and Charities Commission) on the 3rd of October, 1957.

50th Anniversary of Heywood Rural Health. 1957 - 2007

The 50th Anniversary of Heywood Rural Health will take place on the 3rd October 2007.
Heywood Rural Health is planning a weekend of activities to mark this anniversary of our hospital.
Visit our 50th Anniversary website