Yes, the conditions in 1969-70 were dire. Always dodgy getting over to the Nurses Home as you were acosted by men looking for "good time ladies" (it was on Balsall Heath Road) Mums did give breast milk to the Milk Bank. I believe it was the first in the country and developed by "Miss Whittington" the Matron. The cots were "Sorrento" cots, which were then accepted by many Maternity Hospitals as the "norm" We also had a separate block for TB patients. The first baby to survive, born at 29 weeks, was transferred from Stoke and was discharged on the 3rd November 1969 when she should have been full term.I've merged several threads to form this one thread on the Sorrento. Reading through this thread it obviously means a lot to many, many people. So here are a couple of photos I've found.
I've also added a missing image to post #38. Viv.
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Has it now been swallowed up by Birmingham Maternity Hospital? I had a quick look on the net, there doesnt seem much about it, although I didnt do any thorough searching. I can remember Carl Chinn having someone on his show, so maybe if you dropped him a line? you could email him perhaps?
Apparantly Carl Chinns latest magazine has a picture or pictures of the Sorrento? He talked about it today, I missed the relevent part of the show. I did hear him mention Miss Hallam the women who was responsible for delivering many babies during the fifties I think. I would definately contact Carl, he was born at the Sorrento, so he would be able to give you some info.
Hi I'm wondering if anyone can help me I was born in sorrento maternity hospital on February 19 1988 and iv found out they there were another 5 people born on the same day also we all got learning disabilities but I'm trying to trace them as I dont know any namesDoes anybody know where the records went for the Sorrento after the closure and can I obtain information from them?
Regards
Ken
A very nice article from the good old 'Sunday Mercury' about the place where I was born in June 1952. My mother had just turned 19 at the time!For anyone born or delivered their children at the Sorrento, this gives a picture of a caring and cosy 1950s small hospital. Ten day stay for mother’s ! The mothers seem very young too. Viv.
View attachment 172514View attachment 172515View attachment 172516Source: British Newspaper Archive
will have to be checked but as far as i am aware no....there were a few large houses turned into maternity hospitals such as heathfield road and lawnswood..impression i got was that if the purpose built hospitals were full up moms to be were fitted in to the smaller hospitals where spaces were availableSo, is there some special reason for us to have been born at Sorrento Hospital?