Over time, vacancy advertisements record changes in salaries and wages. They also indicate recruitment policies (e.g. age restrictions), staff turnover and the kind of roles performed within the Hospital. There are vacancy advertisements for the following:
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Domestic staff
Dorset County Chronicle, Thursday 8 March 1866, page 1
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL, DORCHESTER. WANTED, a PERSON about 30 years of age, who can undertake the duties of COOK and assist the Matron in the capacity of Housekeeper. Wages £20 per annum. Apply to the MATRON of the above Institution.
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Dorset County Chronicle, Thursday 23 August 1866, page 1
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL. WANTED … Also an UNDER HOUSEMAID; wages £8 per annum. Apply to the MATRON, Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester. Dated 22nd August, 1866.
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Western Gazette, Friday 25 April 1879, page 4
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL. HOUSE and PARLOURMAID (experienced) WANTED immediately, at the Dorset County Hospital. Wages £14 a year.–For further particulars, apply to the MATRON, stating age.
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Western Daily Press, Wednesday 10 November 1880, page 2
WANTED, at the Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, a staid and respectable Woman, as Cook. Age not under 30. Wages £20 per annum, and all found. –For particulars, apply to the Matron.
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Western Gazette, Friday 29 April 1887, page 4
COOK (good plain) WANTED, between 30 and 40. Strong KITCHENMAID, and two WARDMAIDS, about 20.–Apply for particulars to the MATRON, Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester.
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Western Gazette, Friday 18 February 1898, page 4
HOUSEMAID (second) WANTED. Good, respectable country girl.–Apply MATRON, Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester.
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House apothecaries/surgeons
The Times, Friday 28 January 1859, page 3
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL.–The Committee of Management hereby give notice that, at a Meeting to be holden March 3, 1859, there will be an ELECTION of a HOUSE APOTHECARY, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. Bacot. The testimonials of the several candidates, as to moral character and professional ability, are to be delivered under cover to the Chairman, at the Dorset County Hospital, on or before Wednesday, February 16. Voting papers, which can alone be accepted as such, will then be forwarded to every Governor, and must be presented either by the voter himself or by some other Governor. Candidates must be unmarried, and Members of the Royal College of Surgeons of London, Edinburgh, or Dublin, and Licentiates of the Apothecaries’ Company, and must be prepared, if elected, to enter into a written engagement to remain in the office three years, provided their discharge of its duties shall be so long satisfactory to the Governors; and also to give three months’ notice previous to their resignation. The dispensing of medicines and other duties, as expressed in the rules, appertain to the office, and its emoluments are the following, viz;-£70 per annum, and £10 additional as Secretary, together with apartments and board. Governors are particularly requested to refrain from promising their votes, until the testimonials of the candidates have been opened by the Committee, and impartially weighed. Signed on behalf of the Committee, C. W. BINGHAM, Chairman. Dorset County Hospital, Jan. 20, 1859.
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Matrons
Sherborne Mercury, Saturday 17 July 1847, page 1
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL. A Middle aged Person, without incumberance, is required as Matron of this Institution. The general nature of the duties will be seen by reference to the Rules. The Salary £30 per annum, together with residence, and maintenance in the Hospital. Testimonials as to character and capacity, to be personally delivered to the Committee, at the Board Room, at 1 o’Clock, p.m., on THURSDAY, 5th of AUGUST next.
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Salisbury and Winchester Journal, Saturday 13 February 1869, page 5
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL. WANTED, as MATRON, a middle-aged Lady without incumberance, to superintend the Nursing, and all the domestic arrangements of the Establishment. Salary £40 per annum, with comfortable furnished apartments; and her maintenance entirely provided at a commmon [sic] table with the Chaplain and House-surgeon. Applications to be sent, with references, on or before March 3rd under cover to “The Chairman of the Committee, Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester.” C. W. BINGHAM, Chairman. Dated 11th Feb., 1869.
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Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Friday 17 July 1874, page 4
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL. WANTED, as MATRON, a Lady, without incumberance, to superintend the nursing, and all the domestic arrangements of the Establishment. Salary, £60 per annum, with comfortable furnished apartments, and maintenance entirely provided at a common table with the Chaplain and House Surgeon.–Applications to be sent with references on or before July 29th, under cover, to the Rev. C. W. BINGHAM, Binghams Melcombe, Dorchester, Chairman of the Committee.
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Morning Post, Tuesday 13 January 1885, page 1
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL, Dorchester. WANTED, as MATRON, a Lady to Superintend the Nursing and all the Domestic Arrangements of the Establishment; salary £60 per annum, with comfortable furnished apartments and entire maintenance in the hospital. Applications to be sent, with references, on or before the 4th of February, under cover, marked outside “Application for Office of Matron,” and addressed to the Chairman of the Committee, Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester. Further information may be obtained from the clerk of the committee.
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The Nursing Record, 24 May 1888, page 96
MATRON.–Salary £50.–Apply Mr. W. E. Grace, Clerk to Committee of DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL, Fordington Green, Dorchester.
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The Nursing Record, 31 May 1888, page 108
MATRON.–Salary £35.–Apply to the Medical Superintendent, DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL.
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Nurses and assistant nurses
Dorset County Chronicle, Thursday 25 February 1864, page 1
WANTED, in the Dorset County Hospital, a respectable Woman, age between 30 and 35, who is willing to be instructed in NURSING. She will be required to act in the Male Wards under the superintendence of the Head Nurse. Wages commencing at the rate of £12 a year, to be increased as she attains proficiency. Application to be made to Mrs. DANCY, at the Hospital.
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Dorset County Chronicle, Thursday 5 May 1864, page 1
WANTED, a respectable WOMAN, not under 30 years of age, to LEARN the DUTIES and FILL the SITUATION of NURSE at the DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL, DORCHESTER. She will have to attend the Male Wards under the instruction of the Trained Head Nurse.–Wage to commence at £12 per Annum, to be increased on merit, with Board and Lodging in the House. Application to be made to Mrs. DANCY, the Matron a the Hospital. Dated the 28th day of April, 1864.
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Dorset County Chronicle, Thursday 23 August 1866, page 1
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL. WANTED, a NURSE, not less than 25 years of age, no more than 40, to be under a trained nurse in the above Institution; wages £12 and all found. … Apply to the MATRON, Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester. Dated 22nd August, 1866.
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Western Gazette, Friday 13 March 1874, page 4
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL, DORCHESTER. UNDER NURSE WANTED. Wages £14, all found. Age 30, active, able to read and write.–Apply to the MATRON.
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Western Daily Press, Saturday 8 November 1879, page 2
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL, DORCHESTER.–WANTED, a CHARGE NURSE, for Surgical and Medical Cases. One who would attend to the Household Needlework done by the patients. Wages £20 per annum, and all found.–Apply to the Matron for further particulars.
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Western Daily Press, Monday 20 December 1880, page 2
WANTED, immediately, at Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester, as ASSISTANT NURSE in the Male Wards. Single or widow. Age from 25 to 40. Salary, £15 to £20 per annum, and all found. Apply, with references and testimonials, to the Matron.
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Western Daily Press, Monday 27 March 1882, page 2
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL, DORCHESTER. –WANTED, at once, an experience NURSE for the Male Ward. Wages £25 per annum. Age from 35 to 45 years.–Apply to the Matron.
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The Nursing Record, 19 April 1888, page 36
ASSISTANT NURSE.–DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL.–Salary £16.–Apply to the Matron, Dorchester.
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The Nursing Record, 19 April 1888, page 36
HEAD NURSE.–DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL.–Salary £25.–Apply to the Matron, Dorchester.
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The Nursing Record, Supplement, 31 July 1897, page ii
STAFF NURSE wanted. Two years’ certificate required. Age 25. Matron, Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester.
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Porters
Dorset County Chronicle, Thursday 7 April 1864, page 1
WANTED, an industrious and active YOUNG MAN to fill the SITUATION of PORTER at the Dorset County Hospital. He must understand Gardening, and be able to Read and Write. Wages £14 per annum and Livery, with Board and Lodging in the House. Apply at the Hospital.
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Western Gazette, Friday 15 October 1909, page 6
DORSET COUNTY HOSPITAL, DORCHESTER. WANTED, a PORTER for the above Institution. A married man without a family preferred. He will be required to reside in the lodge, rent free, and to enter on his duties the 3rd NOVEMBER next. A knowledge of gardening necessary. Wages 18s per week and uniform found. Application, in writing, to be sent to the CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE at the Hospital, with testimonials, stating age, on or before WEDNESDAY, 20th OCTOBER. Dated, 6th October, 1909.
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The History of Dorset County Hospital 