Chailey Heritage Hospital
Chailey Heritage Hospital was founded in 1903 by Grace Kimmins and Alice Rennie. It is world-famous for its ground-breaking approach to orthopaedics. Originally it offered hospital treatment, education and training in craftwork to children with severe physical disabilities. Much of the philosophy of care derived from Grace Kimmins' husband, Dr C W Kimmins, who was an educational psychologist for the London County Council.
Chailey Heritage was initially a private institution and relied heavily on donations for its survival. Grace Kimmins tirelessly and inventively raised funds for the hospital. She was well-connected and used her contacts to secure the patronage and support of royalty, the aristocracy, affluent businessmen and the press.
To secure further funds, Chailey Heritage had to be flexible. As well as championing the cause of orthopaedics, Chailey Heritage became involved with a number of other healthcare projects including:
- establishing the Princess Louise Military Orthopaedic Hospital for wounded servicemen during the First World War
- opening the St Nicholas and Botches Homes for raid-shock children
- treating patients with tuberculosis, rickets, marasmus, asthma and orthopaedic conditions on behalf of East Sussex County Council
- providing emergency medical services and a home for children affected by the blitz during the Second World War.
In 1948 the Heritage became an NHS hospital and the school was established as a voluntary foundation.
What the collection contains
The archive of Chailey Heritage is held at East Sussex Record Office and contains clinical and administrative records of the hospital dating from 1903 to the 1990s. These records include:
- minutes of the governing body
- admission and discharge registers
- registers of operations
- photographs
- plans of the building.
Records of particular interest (with references in brackets) include:
- correspondence and papers relating to the purchase of the former Chailey Union Workhouse (HB 127), including letters concerning donations and building accounts
- administrator's files (HB 128) consisting of teaching staff references, papers about the Bishopstone evacuation, reports to Grace Kimmins and details of the transfer to the Ministry of Health
- Grace Kimmins’ correspondence files (HB134), which include unsuccessful petitions for a royal charter and details about donations
- registers of operations (HB142) 1925–1955. These records are closed for 100 years, but access to them can be gained by writing to East Sussex Record Office.
A full list can be found on Access to Archives.
Access to the collection
You may view these records at East Sussex Record Office. Some of the archive is held off-site. We will need one week's notice if you wish to view them. You may request to view a maximum of five of records at any one time.
Data protection law restricts access to some information, including x-rays and registers of operations. We will advise you if any of these restrictions apply when you request to access the archive.
Find out more about visiting East Sussex Record Office.
