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Ely Hospital - Patients, pictured relaxing in the new day room, of ward 17 A
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Ely Hospital - Patients, pictured relaxing in the new day room, of ward 17 A
Ely Hospital - Patients, pictured relaxing in the new day room, of ward 17 A, at Ely Hospital, Cardiff yesterday (Fri). 27th March 1969. *IN the late 1960s Ely Hospital, a long-stay hospital for people with learning difficulties, was an isolated world in which cigarettes were the only currency and patients slept 50 to a ward. This all changed after the 1969 Ely Inquiry n with ward sizes going down to 30 patients or less n but many of the characteristics of life in the institution remained the same. Karen Jeffreys of Cardiff People First said: iThey didnit get a choice. They got up when they were told to get up, they wore what they were told to wear, ate what they were told to eat and did activities that they were told to do. iFor many people, we are talking about 30 years of their lives n or more n without even being able to make a cup of tea for themselves, because the kettle was an industrial one and it was too dangerous. 27th March 1969
Gordon Murray
Western Mail Archive
Mirrorpix
Cardiff
Wales
Media ID 21631795
© Mirrorpix
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This print captures a significant moment in the history of Ely Hospital, Cardiff. Taken on March 27th, 1969, it showcases patients finding solace and relaxation in the newly established day room of ward 17A. At that time, Ely Hospital served as a long-stay facility for individuals with learning difficulties. In the late 1960s, life within these hospital walls was characterized by isolation and limited autonomy. Patients relied on cigarettes as their only form of currency while enduring crowded conditions with up to 50 people per ward. However, change was on the horizon following the groundbreaking 1969 Ely Inquiry. Although improvements were made after the inquiry's findings, such as reducing ward sizes to accommodate fewer than 30 patients each, many aspects of institutional life remained unchanged. Karen Jeffreys from Cardiff People First highlights how choice was still absent from patients' lives - they woke up when instructed to do so and followed strict guidelines regarding clothing choices and daily activities. For decades upon decades, these individuals lived without even having the freedom to make themselves a simple cup of tea due to safety concerns surrounding industrial kettles. Gordon Murray's photograph serves as a poignant reminder of both progress achieved and challenges yet to be overcome in providing dignified care for those with learning difficulties.
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