History of the Hospital

he hospital was erected and endowed with funds donated by James Arthur Edward Taylor and the foundation stone was laid F.H Guthrie Magistrate of Matatiele on the 20^th March 1929.

Mr Taylor being a very kind and generous English gentleman bequeathed a sum of money for the erection of two hospitals. One in Mount Fletcher and one in Matatiele. It has been known that he often took a doctor out to people living in the country, by car, waited until the doctor had completed his visit, then brought the doctor back. This he repeated as often as was necessary – a truly remarkably kind man. He was a very private man and some folk say he was a recluse.

Mrs Summers was the first Matron at Taylor Bequest Hospital and by 1930 the private ward and a large general ward were established. These two wings accommodated between 32 and 36 beds. In 1952, the C.P.A. took the liberty to extend the hospital by erecting a male ward, kitchen, laundry and theatre. Further progress was made in 1968 when a children's ward was erected.

A new maternity ward was also added to the private ward name after Dr Baur, namely Baur Wing.The Caroline Van Heerden Hall was named after a Matron who was in service at the time.

In 1978 the jurisdiction of the hospital once again changed hands. The N.P.A.  provided a prefab structure accommodating 20 beds. This ward accommodates male patients and is called A + B ward. In 1993 R250 000 was spent on erecting a modernised kitchen for the hospital.

The hospital presently has another male medical / surgical ward (YATES), female surgical / medical ward (ELLIOT), maternity ward (SEYMOUR). These three wards have been named after attorneys as stated in the will. The paediatric ward is named after a previous medical superintendent  Dr Fiddian Green.

The highly motivated + - 250 public servants strive daily to deliver optimal health care to its + - 204 inpatients, and + - 3447 Customers per month attended at the Casualty department.

In May 2002 the doors of the much needed Trauma Crises / H.I.V. councelling opened its doors to the victims of abuse, Domestic Violence, Rape victims etc.

At least once a month Red Cross Flying Doctors deliver valuable service such as Optometry, Chiropratory, Physiotherapy, Psychiatry and Dermatology from this hospital to the community in the town and from the Eastern Cape and Lesotho, this complying with the principles of Batho Pele in making the service accessible to the people. 

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