St. Andrew’s Hospital (Former)

Currently Hillcrest, this was the location of Midland’s second hospital, St. Andrew’s. By 1918 it was clear that the original hospital, located in Sunnyside, was not convenient or suitable for the town’s growing population. In response James Playfair purchased the Manley Chew home and donated it to the town as the new hospital site. His only stipulation was that it be named St. Andrew’s after his ancestral hometown in Scotland. When it first opened, the hospital could accommodate 45 patients. Its training school graduated dozens of nurses. St. Andrew’s was home to Midland’s hospital until 1976, when the Huronia District Hospital was built.

The former St. Andrew’s Hospital is now part of Hillcrest Village Care Centre.

St. Andrew’s Hospital.

St. Andrew’s Hospital, formerly the Manly Chew home.

Miss Margaret Johnson and Mrs. Ken Smith at St. Andrew’s Hospital c.1955

From Left to Right: Dr. Doug Patchell, Dr. Pinchin, and Dr. Swan, attend the opening of the new addition to St. Andrew’s Hospital C.1955.

Hospital Dietitian Mrs. Elisabeth Outerbridge, showing of new kitchen equipment to a visitor at the opening of the new addition to St. Andrew’s Hospital, c.1955.

Carol Megaw and Josephine Bishop in the new surgical suite at the opening of the addition to St. Andrew’s Hospital.

On the left is Jean Holt, and cutting the ribbon is Miss Mary Ingham, opening the new addition to St. Andrew’s Hospital. C. 1955

Dietitian Mrs. Elisabeth Outerbridge shows Miss Margaret Heasman and Miss Muriel Carr, new equipment at the opening of the new addition to St. Andrew’s Hospital.

Construction progress of the addition to St. Andrew’s Hospital, started in 1954.

Starting the foundations of the addition to St. Andrew’s hospital, added in 1954.

Members of the fourth Registered Nursing Assistant class from St. Andrew’s Hospital. Left to Right, Front row: Peggy Stacey, Elmvale, Barbara Dunn, Orillia, Marilyn McReynolds, Owen sound, Mrs. Wm. Bramah, Instructress, Sharon Ferguson, Camp Borden, and Annie Vandervorp, Exeter. Back row: Marlene columbus, Angus, Yvonne White, Bracebridge, Betty Ann Loranger, Barrie, Norma Jean Halbert, Barrie, Linda Boyce, Creemore, Helen Murphy, Kirkland Lake, Carolyn Skinner, Barrie.