Capturing the history and heritage of Brighton's hospital

The Brighton and Sussex University Hospital NHS Trust which runs the hospital is working in partnership with The University of Brighton, East Sussex records office at The Keep and the Royal Pavilion and Museums to collect artefacts and oral histories for future generations.

The project was given a £50,400 boost by the Heritage Lottery Fund, to employ a heritage officer and oral historian to work on the two-year project.

This comes at the hospital undergoes a £500m redevelopment.

Sam Carroll, research centre administrator in the university’s Centre for Research in Memory, Narrative and Histories, said: “Speaking with current and former staff members from every department at the hospital we realised they have a lot of artefacts lying round their homes and offices. For instance, one has a prototype heart pacemaker.

“People are only too pleased to have items included in this history project. And there are many who have interesting stories and anecdotes to tell.”

These will form the core of a number of presentations and displays for staff, patients and visitors to the hospital.

Talks and events to illustrate and share information about the findings of the heritage project will take place both at the hospital and with partner organisations across the city so a wider audience can be reached. A selection of handling materials will be taken onto the wards for those too unwell to attend the displays.

Sam said: “The hospital was built in 1828 – it is a significant building for the region and it is important that we record as much of its history as possible.”