A home providing care. That’s what St Theresa’s in London started as back in 1938. It has been a prominent landmark in South London for a long time.
St Theresa’s Home opened its doors. It provided pre- and post-operative care. This was specifically for women. They suffered from cancer or advanced heart disease. The Mother Superior of the Convent of St Anne founded the Home. She also funded the Convent. She acted as Matron of the Home too. The Archbishop of Southwark was the Home’s Patron.
Patients came from London’s teaching hospitals. These included St Bartholomew’s, St Mary’s, and St Thomas’ Hospitals. Others were Westminster, St George’s, the Middlesex, the Royal Free and the London.
During World War II, St Theresa’s expanded. A Children’s Ward opened in July 1942. This was at the request of Dr Charles Pinckney. He was the Honorary Physician to the Victoria Hospital. Sadly, in 1943, the Home suffered bomb damage.
After the war, things changed. The Home was disclaimed from the NHS in 1948. It remained independent. At that time it had 28 beds for cancer patients. There were also 10 beds for children with acute diseases.
A new chapter began in 1951. St Theresa’s Maternity Hospital officially opened. Sir William Gilliatt, a gynaecologist to the Queen, performed the opening. The hospital had been extended. It now had 40 beds.
Expansion continued throughout the 1950s. A new 2-storey building opened in December 1956. Sir Horace Evans, physician to the Queen, officiated. By this time, the Hospital worked almost entirely for the Regional Hospital Board. Maternity nursing homes in the Wimbledon area had closed. Patients couldn’t afford their high charges.
In April 1959, another new wing opened. Lady Dorothy Macmillan, wife of the Prime Minister, did the honors. It was the third major extension of the Hospital. All extensions were completed during the decade.
But challenges lay ahead for St Theresa’s. In 1967, the South West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board made a difficult decision. They decided to withdraw their grant. A new maternity unit of 35 beds was available. It was located at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton.
Despite strong opposition, the Board carried out its plan. 35,000 signatures were collected in a petition. A ‘march of prams’ went to the House of Commons. This was to protest the subsidy withdrawal. From January 1968, NHS patients were referred to Queen Mary’s Hospital. The Hospital faced deep debt. This was due to its latest extension. An alternative contract was offered. It was to provide care for geriatric and chronically sick patients. The Hospital refused because converting the buildings would be too expensive.
By 1971, St Theresa’s was able to offer a limited maternity service again. This followed a fund-raising campaign. The League of Friends of St Teresa’s Hospital was vital. The League consisted of 300 local people. They volunteered their time. They helped with clerical work. They assisted in the linen store. They manned the switchboard and helped in the hospital shop.
In May 1986, the Sisters of St Anne announced a big change. They intended to sell the Hospital. This was because of changing needs in the community. St Teresa’s Home for the Elderly opened on 15th August 1988. It had 28 beds. The Sisters of St Anne continued to run it. On 1st December 2021, the Home became St Teresa’s Home CIO. It currently has 24 beds.
So, as you stand before St Theresa’s, remember its long history. From caring for the sick to providing maternity services. It has adapted to meet the community’s needs for many years.