Folios 676-678. Letter from Edward Charles Willis, Medical Officer, Pinxton, Alfreton,...

Folios 676-678. Letter from Edward Charles Willis, Medical Officer, Pinxton, Alfreton, Mansfield Poor Law Union, to the Poor Law Board. He encloses a copy of his letter to the Mansfield guardians asking them to appoint him medical officer to the fifth district of the Mansfield Union. He informs them that he has resided in the area for 6 years and attends four fifths of the parishioners rather than send them on a walk of four miles there and back again. He was content to do this when there was no vacancy but feels he is entitled it now there is a vacancy.

On the request of neighbouring medical men he complains of irregularities at the meeting in which Mr Turner was elected medical officer to the fifth district; Mr William Wilson, Guardian for South Normanton resigned his office as guardian so that he could be appointed one of the surveyors of the district, but for the meeting he re-instated himself and acted as chairman, Mr Turner who has been appointed to be medical officer has been canvassing for six months for the post.

Also included is a copy of a letter from the clerk of the board of guardians in response to Willis's application, stating that the medical officer must be; resident in the district, possess professional qualifications 'which Willis does not state', the guardians ask his consent to defer until Michaelmas instead of asking Mr Spencer to resign, a double qualification entitles a medical officer to a permanent position and a single one to an annual appointment. Willis calls the Board's attention to 8& 26 Vict s 34 and 27 Vict s 36.

Also included is Willis's application for the office of medical officer to the fifth district. He states that; he has been a resident for six years and was invited here by the Pinxton Colliery Company, resides within a mile of four fifths of the poor and has cared for them gratuitously as he could not see them walking 4 miles. He has 30 years experience and could obtain testimonials from every village within 12 miles of Belper and from the Belper Union which he attended for 2 years; he attended nearly all of the residents, most of the clubs and the Butterly and Pinxton Colliery company. Within his role he attended over 380 accidents annually, including ten fractures a quarter successfully as White the guardian for Pinxton can testify. Mr Wilson of Normanton has resigned and not likely to be present at any future elections. He regularly goes through district and has vaccinated people who have been neglected. If elected he would go through the districts three times a week. He refers them to new medical act where he is entitled to a double qualification by paying £22.

Annotated: Mansfield Union appointment of medical officer, 35908/1863. Acknowledge and promise attention. Reserve for report of new appointment. 3 October 1863.

Paper Number: 35908/1863.

Poor Law Union Number: 337.

Counties: Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.