Welcome to Harrogate Medical Society

As Harrogate developed from individual hotels promoting their own businesses in the early 19th century to a more sophisticated centre for spa treatments, the local doctors became increasingly frustrated with what they saw as poor management of the Spa. It was a time when Harrogate was in competition with other British Spas but also because of the impact of development of railways, with continental Spas as well.

It was common for Harrogate doctors to holiday in Switzerland; indeed, Dr Edgecombe (a very influential Harrogate doctor in the history of Harrogate medicine) regularly captained the English skating team in St Moritz.

In 1884 the medical practitioners had no voice and so established the Harrogate Medical Society to represent their interests. There were initially 14 members, but this had risen to 56 by 1900. Professional advice to the Commissioners of the Baths resulted in rapid development of the Spa.

The Society quickly developed a programme of lectures for the benefit of members. In 1892 the topics started with Influenza and covered a range of subjects; a preponderance of Rheumatology as you would expect but also surgical, paediatric, and even one lecture about the Leper hospitals of Norway.

Harrogate developed into an international resort with the aid and foresight of its doctors. Within 6 weeks of the end of World War One, the Society had submitted recommendations to the Council for further development of the Spa, as much of its competition in the form of the continental Spas had been badly affected by the War.

The Society was also in discussion with the Council in 1943 about post-war
development of the Spa. This, of course, was superseded by the establishment of the NHS.

The most famous of our members was Wilfrid Edgecombe. He was born in 1871 in Huyton in Liverpool. He studied medicine at Liverpool University and UCLH and qualified in 1893. His House jobs were at the Royal Liverpool Infirmary and he subsequently demonstrated Anatomy and became a surgical tutor.

In 1894 he came to Harrogate. He became a member of the Harrogate Medical Society in 1895. He had served twice as President of HMS in 1908 and 1939-1945. In the World War I he served as a Captain in the R.A.M.C. and from 1919 -1932 served on the Harrogate Town Council.

In 1905 he was appointed to the staff of Harrogate Infirmary and was very influential in the development of general hospital services and eventually the building of Harrogate District General Hospital in 1932. He retired from the hospital in 1936 but maintained a keen interest and influence in the hospital and local community. He died in Harrogate at his home aged 92 in 1963. Shortly after his death, a memorial trust was created with member’s donations and an endowment from his widow. The annual Edgecombe Lecture was founded. The Society has recently secured funds from the Wifrid Edgecombe memorial Trust to provide an annual Prize for doctors in training at Foundation year level and Core Trainees working in Harrogate.

Another important member of the society was Dr Margaret E Manning. She practised as a GP in Harrogate for more than 30 years and was elected as President of the Harrogate Medical Society in 1995/96. Margaret grew up in North Yorkshire, trained at Manchester University Medical School and returned to her Yorkshire roots after qualifying in 1965. Margaret was the society’s secretary for more than 25 years and despite ill health, Margaret continued to be the heart and soul of HMS right up until her sad death in June 2020. To commemorate Margaret’s, work the Society has created an elective bursary to medical students in her memory, The Margaret E Manning Travel Bursary.

For many years the Society remained the only forum for postgraduate education locally. Our lecture programme continues today, and we also provide one of the only venues where colleagues from different disciplines can meet. Our current membership is just short of 100. We welcome new members and colleagues and look forward to the future.