Central ward was the last ward of the original building to be completed. The fourteenth annual report of the Rotherham hospital and dispensary includes lay out drawings of the hospital including a 10 bed Ward B (Central Ward) but states “Ward B is not yet Built, Funds are needed for it.” A new ward fund was started in 1885, it had raised £53 9s 10d by the end of the year.
The foundation stone was laid by members of the local Freemason house; it was reported on the 17th of July1886. The reason for this act of charity on the part of the Freemasons was given that it proved the calling of the most ancient brotherhood was to “relieve the suffering and the benefit the aged, the widow, and the poor” rather than the generally believed selfish object of eating, drinking and being merry.
In a cavity in the foundation stone were deposited a programme of the day’s proceedings; the last printed report of the Hospital, plans of the whole building on tracing cloth, coins and copies of the local newspapers.
At the foundation laying event figures were quoted, the speaker, the Provincial Grand Master reminded listeners of the “very generous support of the working classes, who had contributed during the last fourteen years £5,189 out of a total £17,030”, the announcement was followed by cheers.
Central Ward provided twenty more beds, nurses and store room, bathrooms and lavatories. It pleased the Rotherham Advertiser to inform its readers that the new ward would be kitted out with oak flooring, Thybergh stone and a blue state roof, with ventilation by Sharingham’s inlet ventilation and Boyles’ extractors, all for an estimated cost of £1,000. Later improvements included a day room annexe to each ward.
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