Knittingale Hospital knitted tribute to the NHS on display at The National Trust’s Workhouse and Infirmary, Southwell

An internationally recognised knitter’s tribute to the National Health Service is on display in a historic infirmary.

Margaret Seaman is a 94-year-old creative artist, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her talent in creating knitted locations which include the likes of Buckingham Palace and Great Yarmouth.

She chose Firbeck Infirmary at The Workhouse, Southwell, to feature her lockdown creation Knittingale Hospital.

The Knittingale Hospital was created during the covid-19 lockdowns and will be displayed on the first floor of the National Trust property until October.

Firbeck Infirmary’s history of care pre-dates the creation of the NHS and was first built in 1871. It was closed in the 1980s.

Among other things, the infirmary looked after women in its maternity ward and provided end-of-life care for those with limited means.

The name Knittingale Hospital was inspired by the influential nurse Florence Nightingale, as well as the government’s decision to construct new Nightingale hospitals to meet demand during the covid-19 pandemic.

Fiona Lewin, collections and house officer at The Workhouse and Infirmary, said: “Florence Nightingale had an interest, and was influential in, nursing across the country’s Workhouses. The name Knittingale is a playful reference to Florence Nightingale and the hospitals that benefited from her actions as a nursing pioneer.”

Viewing the hospital is included in the normal site admission fees, although it is raising funds for a new children’s hospital in Cambridge.

Donations are welcome by scanning a QR code on a visit to The Workhouse.