Mount Alvernia celebrates 90 years of caring

GUILDFORD HOSPITAL STAFF MARK A MAJOR MILESTONE

- 

GUILDFORD’S Mount Alvernia Hospital is celebrating its 90th year caring for patients in the community.

Founded in 1935 by a group of Franciscan Sisters, Mount Alvernia Hospital began as a small nursing home offering affordable care before the creation of the NHS, when all healthcare in England was fee-paying.

Mount Alvernia is named after the mountain in Italy which was a place of great importance in the life of St Francis of Assisi.

Now part of Circle Health Group, many staff have devoted years to the hospital.

Kim Coskery, instrument coordinator at Mount Alvernia Hospital, reflected on her time working alongside the Franciscan Sisters.

She said: “I have worked at Mount Alvernia for 32 years and have seen many changes - it was lovely working under the nuns, they always had a smile for you. When the London to Brighton bike races took place, they were always there to cheer people on and to send people on their way.