MIL OSI – Source: Waikato District Health Board – Release/Statement
Headline: Historical pharmacy display is a fascinating glimpse into the past
If you are visiting Waikato Hospital, sometimes you have time on your hands waiting for an appointment or for transport, or taking a break from visiting a patient. You will find there are quite a few interesting destinations in Meade Clinical Centre – from the occasional music recital on Level 1 to the handy array of products and advice at Pharmacy on Meade, or the fascinating Timeline mural on Level 2 that traces the development of Waikato Hospital from its very early beginnings to the present day.
Now a display cabinet of early pharmacy apparatus, photos and books has joined these as a part of making the hospital a more “human” environment.
It contains a number of pharmacy items, including glass bottles, ceramic jar, pill and cachet making apparatus, and moulds, together with photographs, other apparatus, and some books used as registers.
The core of the display was collected by John Danby, a Thames pharmacist, and came to the Trust in 2008. It includes many items of interest. It was initially housed in the Clinical School on the hospital campus.
Over time, other items have become available to the Waikato Health Memorabilia Trust through acquisition, loan and gift. The trust sought, and obtained approval from the Waikato Hospital Arts Committee to develop a display in the Meade Clinical Centre.
Trust member and past Waikato Hospital doctor Alastair Haslam said that trust commissioned Amanda Watson Green, exhibition designer and curator to bring together these items and the Danby collection in one display.
“Many people contributed, but the trust wishes to record the help from Murray Frost, Bruce Potter, Geoff Taylor, and Denise Irvine as well as the generous help of the Waikato District Health Board’s building project offices, and its Property and Infrastructure service.”
“I would also like to acknowledge the support of Mrs Danby, whose husband is unfortunately not well enough to travel to see the display.”
Photo below: Those involved in developing the display (left to right): Murray Frost (supporter & pharmacy historian), John Graham (trustee), Kevin Bardsley (Property & Infrastructure), Alastair Haslam (Waikato Health Memorabilia Trust chair) Carolyn Gibbs (trustee), Denise Irvine (representative of the Irvine Family), Jeff Taylor (retired pharmacist), Amanda Watson Green (curator, designer and builder of the display), Bruce Potter (retired pharmacist).