Last month (June 2026), This is Haslemere met Rose Parry who was elected chairman of The Haslemere Hospital League of Friends (LoF) in May 2013.

About Rose Parry

As a young girl in Haslemere, Rose had always wanted to be a children’s nurse, however, her father encouraged her to train in general nursing. She began nursing as a cadet nurse at the age of 17 in 1963. Rose was among the first set of students at the combined Nursing Schools of the Royal Surrey and St Luke's Hospitals in Guildford, and they were known as the “Guinea Pigs”.

In the 1960s and 1970s, marriage would often mean nurses leaving their position and taking a lesser post. Rose though considered herself very lucky at the time of her marriage in 1970 as a forward-thinking nurse let her continue as ward sister in Guildford at St Luke’s. She worked there right up to 6 weeks before her first son was born. Rose swapped living in Haslemere for a stint in Norfolk due to her husband’s work and welcomed their second son. They were only too pleased to move back 6 years later when her husband’s job transferred here.

Back living in Haslemere, Rose approached Haslemere Hospital about work. It turned out they needed surgical nursing experience. She interviewed with matron, Mrs Godwin, on a Friday afternoon, got measured up for her uniform, former colleagues in Guildford and Norfolk gave references and Rose began work the following Monday morning. Luckily, her parents lived locally and gave her help and support with school runs and childcare. Rose stayed as the surgical ward sister on Elizabeth Ward until 1986 where they carried out female surgery with five specialities on one ward. Each day was so different and it was extraordinary experience for a surgical nurse. There were 41 surgical beds and all the elective for Guildford was carried out there (general surgery, vascular, orthopaedic, gynaecological, and ENT). In the early 1980s, Mr Stiles carried out the first elbow and knee replacements in Haslemere. Rose also remembered Mr Bailey in general surgery. He was a young surgeon and dynamic – general endoscopic surgery was in its infancy at time – although it had been regularly practiced by the Gynaecologists at Haslemere.

Rose loved her time working at Haslemere Hospital sharing, “It is unique, it’s not just a cottage hospital, it’s a true community hospital built and supported by our local populations. And now it serves a population of over 40,000 plus, including Haslemere, Liphook, Grayshott, Witley, Milford and beyond.”

Rose took over the nursing management of the Hospital, before working as a Clinical Nurse specialist in Neuro-Rehab until 1996 and then moving into managing Community Services. Since her final retirement in 2012, she has been serving as Chairman of the League of Friends of Haslemere Hospital.

News of Haslemere Hospital

Hospital beds were paused at Haslemere Hospital in May 2025. This was beds for patients waiting for other elements of their care from the Royal Surrey, for example, rehab, physio or slow stream rehab managed by GPs before reintegrating patients back home or into nursing homes.

The Haslemere Health Transformation Group led by Dr Mark Hurst and the LoF, were invited by the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust to join clinicians in designing primary care pathways for long term conditions. The proactive management of these conditions will provide a stepped up approach with more diagnostics at hand. Currently these patients often have only one option if their conditions deteriorate and that is A&E. The ward space is to be repurposed and will provide a more focussed community model. This means long term conditions will have their diagnostics locally rather than having to go to the Royal Surrey. Primary care doctors manage a broad field of conditions including cardiology, respiratory, diabetes, as a starting point - but in addition other outpatient services are being considered to move out to Haslemere. Read more on the BBC website about the £1m revamp of Haslemere Hospital. 

Haslemere Hospital League of Friends (LoF)

LoF, founded in 1952, is a registered charity with the following motto "The League of Friends exists for the benefit of Haslemere Hospital which serves the local community". Its charitable purpose goes further, “To foster & encourage the public interest in the patients & the support of the work of the Hospital by means of voluntary service (& to assist in the recruitment of voluntary workers.) To provide funds for the resources of the Hospital service, either by supplementation or by putting such funds at the disposal of the Hospital Committee. To provide a link between the Hospital & the Community.”

Right now, the LoF has provided funding to paint and decorate and provide new flooring in outpatients at Haslemere Hospital. They are also souring new artworks for the newly decorated walls. The hospital needs more outpatient space and that will also need decorating. This space could mean a minor surgical list in the hospital, for example, hand surgery, dermatological and max fac procedures all under a local anaesthetic. Other areas the group is looking at include dentistry, female health and children’s health.

However, it all requires money. The LoF does have funds but, as Rose said, “echocardiogram machines are expensive!” Rose recognises a need to fundraise in the community. Whilst LoF does not own any of the hospital property, it does contribute to an enhanced environment and equipment for local services. Rose was keen to convey in her words, “We need more local support for the League of Friends. People can help us by committing to pledge money and by becoming members. We have 150 members right now and, in the past, we have had as many as 400. We need as much help as possible from the local community to secure the locality.”

Rose is a volunteer who gives her knowledge, skills and time to the Haslemere community. At the end of our conversation, she shared with us, “I care about community and I care about health. I’m part of the post-war generation that has had good public health, a free education, free further education, housing support after the war and modernisation of healthcare. I should give as I have been given such a lot. My giving back is a recognition of that privilege.”

Since interviewing Rose, she has informed This is Haslemere that they have now invested £250,000 in new services to support “Care Closer to Home”. In addition there are other requests in the pipeline which will drain reserves. Any donations or fundraising opportunities for the hospital will be greatly appreciated.

If you would like to help the Haslemere Hospital League of Friends by becoming a donor, volunteer or member, check out their website for more information. 

If you are interested in learning about the history of healthcare in Haslemere, the history book, Haslemere Hospital 1923 – 2023 is available from Haslemere Bookshop.