Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild’s grief was immense. He had lost his wife, Evelina, and their newborn son in 1866. Standing here, before The Evelina Hospital for Sick Children Plaque, we touch upon a story born from sorrow but blossoming into a legacy of hope. The plaque itself, erected in 2004, serves as a poignant reminder of the original Evelina Hospital for Sick Children, which stood on this very spot from 1869 to 1976. The Evelina Hospital for Sick Children was Rothschild’s heartbreaking tribute to his beloved Evelina. He initially envisioned a maternity hospital. However, his friend, Dr. Arthur Farre, the Queen’s obstetrician, suggested a children’s hospital for the poor. This plaque, with its detailed reliefs and inscriptions, honors not only the Rothschilds but also the dedication of the hospital’s planners, doctors, nurses, staff, and benefactors. The plaque highlights Dr. Farre’s instrumental role in the hospital’s creation. It depicts portraits of Evelina, Ferdinand, Alice Cross (Lady Superintendent), and Dr. Farre himself.
The original Evelina Hospital for Sick Children was a beacon of progress in its time. It boasted cutting-edge design features. These included a quarantine ward and an innovative ventilation system. The hospital, located in Southwark, one of London’s poorest districts, brought hope to a community ravaged by childhood diseases. Infection, malnutrition, and respiratory illnesses were rampant. The Evelina offered a lifeline. The hospital initially refused patients with infectious fevers and children under two. However, these rules were frequently disregarded by compassionate doctors and eventually abolished. By 1900, over half the admitted patients were infants and toddlers. The Evelina expanded significantly during its early years, doubling its bed capacity by 1900. It added electric lighting, an isolation ward, a new floor, an expanded outpatient department, x-ray facilities, a new operating theatre, and even a roof garden, all thanks to public generosity. The hospital endured challenging times. During World War II, the Evelina served as a casualty post and suffered bomb damage three times during the Blitz.
In 1976, The Evelina Hospital for Sick Children merged with Guy’s Hospital, moving to Guy’s Tower. The original building was demolished, and Mint Street Park now occupies the space. This plaque ensures that the hospital’s history and its significance to the community are not forgotten. The Evelina’s legacy continued. In 2005, a new, state-of-the-art Evelina London Children’s Hospital opened at St. Thomas’ Hospital. The hospital continues to provide exceptional care to children. Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild’s love for Evelina transformed into a lasting gift for countless children. The Evelina Hospital for Sick Children Plaque stands as a testament to the power of love, loss, and the enduring spirit of compassion.