After being diagnosed with the dreaded Polio in Royal Alexandra hospital, I was transferred quickly to Foredown . This was a very traumatic time for a seven year old, but looking back the treatment given probably helped save my life. Think I was incarcerated there for about a year and was finally moved to Queen Mary's Hospital, Carlshalton.

Hi. I was admitted to Foredown Hospital in 1955 then transferred to Queen Mary's Hospital, Carshalton. Is there anyone out there who was in the hospital at these times? I was 12 -13 years at that time. Many thanks Ray

I grew up in nearby Southdown Road, and as a member of the local church choir can remember visiting the hospital to sing Christmas carols to the patients, including one polio victim in an iron lung. I was later admitted to the hospital myself, around 1960, with suspected meningitis. Fortunately all the tests were negative, and I was discharged several weeks later, only to come out in chicken pox the next day! Although the hospital was demolished, its water tower was retained and is open to the public as the 'Foredown Tower'.

As a 3 year old, I was diagnosed with polio, and sent to Foredown hospital. I think I was there for about 6 weeks, but to a 3 year old this seemed like an eternity, not being able to see my parents, and new baby sister. I remember the nurses, and how they soon took the place of my Mum, and riding a little bike, outside in the area where the ambulances used to pull in, and rushing on to the grass as fast as I could on my bike, in case they run me over. When Mum and Dad collected me, (in my Uncle's taxi), I remember being very shy, and really just wanting to stay at Foredown. I don't know how serious I had polio, but don't seem to have any effects from it now at the age of 65 (touch wood). Sandie

I too was sent to Foredown Isolation Hosp. in 1950 aged 5 years old, after contracting Scarlet Fever. I was terrified and remember trying to tie myself to my bed with a big ball of wool so that the ambulance man could not take me. I was also there for six weeks with no visitors in a bleak Nov/Dec. so no playing outside for me. I could not take my favourite cuddly toy with me as I was told that it would have to be incinerated when I left. My parents used to send me Tiny Tim comics & little notes/post cards but it was all rather traumatic. I remember a Nurse Pale with lovely blond hair who was kind. I was taught to count up to ten in French by another little girl & was quite proud of that. Like you Sandie, when my Mum came to collect me I remember feeling quite shy and hanging on to the nurse's hand. It just wouldn't happen nowadays but as you say, we survived to tell the tale!

I went to Foredown in 1947, aged 7, with suspected diptheria it must have been over Christmas time as I remember the nurses in their red cloaks with a lantern singing carols. I had been allowed to take my rag bodied dolly with me but told I couldn't have her when leaving. I was told I screamed the place down. They put her in the ovens to cleanse her hoping her china head wouldn't melt. It didn't but she never had any clothes again, just her raggy body!

I was in foredown for 5 weeks in 1966 I had mumps but must have been very infectious. It was in the winter and know we had quite heavy snow and still my parents visited me everyday. I don't remember a lot but just being shut in this glass bowl 24/7 being really bored. I think I got so bored I started drawing on the bed sheets!

I remember going to foredown hospital in the late 60s, being transferred from the royal alexandra hospital with yellow jaundace (sorry about spelling). I remember being in hospital for 4 weeks and I had trouble with going to no 2s and they gave me a laxative which I used to call blackjack cos of the colour. I also remember one day my dad and my brother Barry came to see me and after they went they were peering in the window saying goodby when this nurse came in with the blackjack and I was crying cos It tasted horrible.