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The Nuffield Rose-Innes Clinic
There was no regular health service in Kei Road in the early history of the village. The sick were taken by wagon or Cape cart to the hospital in King William’s Town or otherwise to a doctor’s surgery.

The employees of the Railway were fortunate in that they had a travelling doctor to attend to them. These doctors were appointed to serve various areas and had well equipped caboose which could be attached to either a goods or passenger train when needed. They attended patients at certain stations on set days, but had to make special journeys in cases of emergency to the railway cottages concerned. For this service a percentage of the employees’ salaries was paid into a Medical Fund. Patients not employed by the railway were treated and had to pay a normal fee.

There were also medical missionaries operating in certain areas who, apart from conducting services, rendered medical help.

A definite need for visiting doctors in this area was greatly felt. For a long time during 1920-30 the Stutterheim firm of doctors, Drs. Sowerby, Temple and Randall Smythe had a surgery in Kei Road. The hard worked Medical Officers of Health did their best to render what service they could. In a case of an epidemic the Medical Officer of Health in King William’s Town used to come out with a team of helpers to give injections to the Africans in the densely populated settlements surrounding Kei Road.

Mention must be made of Dr Birkowitz who began a weekly surgery, using as his clinic a portion of Mr F. Durrheim’s trading store. As more patients came assistance was needed and some of the local ladies volunteered. Among them were Mrs E. Dick and Mrs G. Blame. This small ‘clinic’ served a most useful purpose and, as more drugs and medication became necessary, funds were raised by local efforts.

After the last war, when Col Dick Rose-Innes settled in Kei Road, he became very interested in the need for medical work and realized that with the necessary financial aid more could be done to alleviate the suffering of the sick. A personal letter was written to Lord Nuffield in England outlining a scheme for starting a clinic to serve the African community. Lord Nuffield replied expressing his interest and offering financial assistance subject to the following conditions:- “That the Association be registered with the Union Government as a Welfare Organization” and secondly, “that the Special Commission of Taxes in England will be willing to permit any such financial assistance to be made free of tax”. These conditions were fulfilled and there was much joy when a cheque for £2,500 was received from Lord Nuffield as a donation.

A property, owned by Mrs C. Herbert, was purchased for £1,150 as a Suitable place for a Clinic. The Committee consisted of Mesdames M. Ross Blame E. Dick, P. Mills, V. Bailey and Messrs. C. R. M. Tainton, G. Ross, Blame, J. G. Bailey, C. A. Ranger and J. Mills.

It was fortunate that Lord Nuffield was visiting South Africa in 1953 and he kindly consented officially to open the Clinic. He was most impressed by what had been accomplished and was moved by the gratitude of the Africans who entertained him with their excellent singing at his reception. The Clinic was officially named “The Nuffield Rose-Innes Clinic.”

After Col. Rose-Innes resigned, due to ill health, various doctors came out from King William’s Town in a private capacity. When these visits ceased it then became necessary to investigate the status of the Clinic and to decide whether it should be under the Department of Health or under the Village Management Board which would represent the Provincial authority. The decision was made that the Clinic should operate under the Department of Health and that the Medical Officer of Health should visit the Clinic when necessary.

The introduction of the Mobile Clinic by the Divisional Council to serve tuberculotic patients and others has been a great help and has proved an invaluable service to the farming community. Mrs Mary Wilkins proved to be a hard-working, efficient Treasurer and shouldered the responsibility of the Clinic finances for many years. Mr B. Randles took over the books for a short period and then Mrs M. E. Ranger was appointed Treasurer until the take-over by the Divisional Council. Mrs Ranger was also Secretary for many years.

After the passing of Col. Rose-Innes, Mr C. R. M. Tainton became Chairman of the Clinic Committee followed by Mr G. Ross Blame for many years. Mr M. Mills also served for a long period. After him came Mr Nowell Barnes-Webb and Mr L. L. Ranger. Much time and thought were put into fostering the growth of the Clinic and the various organizations in Kei Road gave invaluable financial support and necessary help.

The Sisters in charge of the Clinic over the years have done great work. When no Sister-in-charge has been available young married’s, with nursing experience, in the district have come foward to help out temporarily rather than allow the Clinic to close. Mesdames E. Roach, J. Dick, J. Hart, V. Blame and H. Barbier are among the names of those who have assisted.

in 1971 Sister S. Tolmay, previously the Matron at the Mount Coke Methodist Mission Hospital, was appointed as Sister-in-charge. Together with her husband she has done much to re-establish the smooth running of the Clinic after a period of no resident Sister. Mr Tolmay effected very necessary repairs and made alterations to the building which have been a great asset.

During the Chairmanship of Mr L. L. Ranger a shelter for patients was erected and it was decided to name it “The Michelle McCartan Memorial Shelter” as the building was financed chiefly from donations given in memory of Michelle. A silver plaque, suitably inscribed, was unveiled by Mr McCartan in the presence of the Clinic Committee and heads of various bodies of the village and district. The short service was conducted by the Rev. A. Whittaker.

In September 1973, at a special General Meeting, an important decision had to be taken as State Health had proposed that Clinics should be taken over by Divisional Councils in view of the ever increasing financial burden. A new Comm ittee was elected and Mrs F. Ranger was thanked for all that she had done for the Clinic. The Committee elected was Mrs V. Blame (Chair), Mrs C. Dell vice-Chair), Mrs B. Randles (Secretary/Treasurer), Mrs P. Connellan, Mrs M. Rudman, Mrs G. Sugden, Mrs G. Bartels and Mr S. Landrey.

Kei Road and district can be proud of the service given by the Clinic over the years and are ever grateful to the founder and financial helper — Col Richard Rose-Innes and Lord Nuffield.