In at the birth

3:23pm Monday 7th July 2008

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David's Story
DAVID Harvey was Swindon's first NHS baby.

Mum Violet had gone into the Kingshill Maternity Hospital at 11.30pm on July 4 and had already paid a non-refundable 10 shillings deposit for the birth.

David was not Violet's first baby. Two years earlier sister Celia arrived in the days of a very different healthcare regime.

By the time David decided to put in an appearance his birth was already two days late.

Despite the late admission on July 4, David did not arrive until 4.55am on July 5 - and when he did he became Swindon's first baby born under the National Health Service.

That meant his delivery did not cost Violet and husband Walter the £8 it could have.

"He was definitely worth the £8 but I was glad I didn't have to pay," said 84-year-old Violet, of Chilton Gardens, Moredon.

"Before the NHS we were in the Great Western Railway medical fund so we were used to having medical things taken care of.

"But as a family I think we have had good service from the NHS.

"When it has come to illness and operations we have all been very well cared for.

"As a family we have been very satisfied by the National Health Service."

Michael's Story
WHEN the NHS was created it was said that it would provide a healthcare service for people from the cradle to the grave.

Michael Darling was born when the service was an infant itself - just eight hours old.

He was the third of Alfred and Dorothy Darling's six children and was the first baby to be delivered at home, in Beech Avenue, by a doctor and a midwife in Swindon under the NHS.

"My mother always said that by being born when I was I saved her 30 shillings," said Michael, who now runs the Burdett Arms in Ramsbury.

"That was going to be the cost of the midwife and the doctor. I'm just glad that arriving when I did I saved them a few bob."

The Adver first told Michael's story 10 years ago, when he and the service celebrated their joint 50th birthday.

At that time his parents Roy and Dorothy, who emigrated to Australia several years earlier, were back in Britain for a special visit.

At that time Dorothy said: "As far as I remember, their fees when I had our first baby came to about £25.

"We didn't have epidural anaesthetics, and there was no gas and air if you gave birth at home. We just got on with it and then forgot about what it was like."

Although Michael has had the tie to the NHS all his life, because he has been in good health he has not had huge need of its services.

"I was very young when I realised I shared my birthday with the National Health Service," said Michael.

"My mother told me when I was about 10 or 15 but because I had no call to go into hospital as a youngster, I never really thought about it.

"I haven't thought about it for most of my life. When I was growing up I thought the only time I'd end up in hospital would be when I got taken to the morgue. But then about four years ago I had a triple bypass operation.

"It was my first real visit to hospital for anything to do with my health.

"Ten years ago the Royal Mint very kindly produced a special 50p to mark my and the NHS' joint birthday.

"They aren't doing that for me this year but I still raised a glass to the NHS at the weekend."