"There were two telephonists to man the two switchboards at the Infirmary - one was on duty from 8.30am to 2.30pm, and one from 2.30pm to 8.30pm. After 8.30 in the evenings a porter took over. Towards the end of my time we took on a third telephonist to assist during the mornings.
Each switchboard had 50 extensions; there were five incoming/outgoing lines, two outgoing only lines and two direct incoming/outgoing lines to the City Hospital. We had "doll's eye" switchboards - when the extension picked up the telephone to call the operator the numbered "eye lid" dropped and you plugged into the corresponding numbered socket below.
We were forbidden to put calls through to the wards. Bulletins on the patients' conditions were issued to us at 9am and 7.30pm - these were comfortable, fairly comfortable, poorly or, if the patient had deteriorated, enquire ward. We would pass this information on to any relatives. "Enquire ward" callers were announced to Sister, who might take the enquiry.
Each day, as Matron was about to leave on her ward round, her secretary would call the telephonist who had to ring all the wards to let them know she was on her way! Also the telephonist had to ring the wards as soon as the consultants walked through the main doors.
I left in 1963 when the Infirmary and the City Hospital were amalgamated
to form Chester Hospitals with just one telephone system."