Your old pictures sought as PEH reaches 70

THE Princess Elizabeth Hospital is 70 years old this year, and as part of the celebrations former patients and past and present employees are being asked to send in their photos of the hospital over the years.

Four years before becoming Queen, Princess Elizabeth opened the hospital which bears her name and, as this Guernsey Press picture shows, visited patients.

A selection of the pictures will be displayed in an audio-visual exhibition to be launched on 23 June, the date that the PEH was officially opened by Princess Elizabeth in 1949.

Bailiwick residents can also take their pictures of the hospital and have their stories recorded for the exhibition at a special tea party taking place at the PEH later this month.

This Guernsey Press picture shows Princess Elizabeth walking through the ranks of staff after the opening ceremony.

‘Gathering photos by email and stories at the tea party is all part of celebrating the fascinating 70-year history of the PEH,’ said hospital culture, arts and health manager Lottie Barnes.

‘Working with the Priaulx Library, Guernsey Museum, Government House and Island Archives, this will be a first in documenting just how integral to the community spirit the hospital has and continues to be.’

‘The PEH continues to be a critical part of the fabric of our community, growing and adapting to population, clinical and technological changes,’ said Health & Social Care president Deputy Heidi Soulsby. ‘I very much look forward to seeing this exhibition bring history to life.’

n Go to gov.gg/PEH70 for details of how to submit photos. The tea party is open to the public and takes place on 25 May from noon to 4pm in the Emma Ferbrache Room, which will be turned into a mini museum to showcase the audio/visual exhibition.