Hi Francis,
I was in black Notley hospital from 1949 - 1957 on and off, my 1st stay 2 and 1/2 years, my last full year stay was 1957 jan-dec. I was only on one ward that being ward 7, grew up there really. I enjoyed your poem, I have been reading a book Black Notley Hospital a Century of Service, I have found it a good read, filling in a lot of gapes and bringing back memories, I feel I should put a child's view, it hadn't a lot of personal info of schooling on the ward etc. My hip was the problem and Mr Wilkinson was my doctor, and I grew up calling him "sir", a title he deserved for all the great work he achieved over his lifetime, but nothing worked the first time with me, he said 'complication' was my middle name! Anyway I have just found this site, so if you want to have a chat, please reply xx