The Acci was a tight knit community throughout its existence no more so than in the early 1990s with its Whilst many staff chose to move to the General Hospital into what was called the South Birmingham Trauma Unit others took early retirement or looked for employment elsewhere.

Strong friendship groups persisted from the Consultant body through all levels of staff including nurses, physiotherapists, allied health professionals, catering and portering services, linen room staff, engineering department staff and not forgetting the hospitals managerial infrastructure.

First reunion was held on the 11th June 1994 at Tally Ho and was organised by a group of people including Harold Lilley with profits going to the Medical Research Council. The event comprised of a buffet with music in the form of a disco. There were over 200 attendees.

The second reunion was held on the 22nd June 1997 on this occasion the venue was the garden of Mrs Geraldine Amos (she was the founder of the charity “Home from Hospital” which ensured patients had supplies e.g. tea and coffee on discharge from hospital and is still active in 2020) Westfield Rd Edgbaston in a marque on a beautiful afternoon with catering and drinks organised by Mrs Angela and Mr Alex Houston.

Angela was formerly the clinical nurse specialist in the casualty Dept at the Acci. The event was largely organised by Miss Dianne Alexander (formerly staff nurse, Casualty Dept). 260 people attended. Mr Peter London, formerly senior surgeon at the Acci gave an address. On 27th June 2004 the third reunion was held at Hampton Hall an annex of Edgbaston Old Church organised by a group including Maggie Horner (formerly Clinical nurse Specialist on the Major Injuries Uni) Angela Houston, Hazel Lane (formerly sister on MIU) Gill Elson (formerly sister on the burns unit at the Acci) and Steve Elson, Gill’s husband who organised the data base. The afternoon event followed the traditional pattern.

On 24th June 2007 the fourth reunion was held at the same venue with the same
organising group.

In 2010, the fifth reunion was held at a new venue at Rowheath Pavilion in Selly Park. This included establishing old acquaintances, a sandwich and cake tea with quite a lot of Acci memorabilia on display especially old photographs. This was the first time external caterers were used. Tickets cost £5.

2014 saw the 6th reunion and celebrated 21 years after the closure of the hospital. Once again this was at Rowheath Pavilion, a venue that became the home for future reunions.

The 7th reunion took place on the 2nd October 2016 again at Rowheath Pavilion. Mr John Gowar, formerly Consultant Burns and Plastics Surgeon gave the address. A commemorative cake was organised by Keith Porter.

On 29th April 2018 saw the 8th reunion-25 years after the closure of the hospital was very well attended once again with over 200 attendees. For the first time Beneta Batchelor (formerly from Medical Records at the Acci) an accomplished singer provided entertainment during and after afternoon tea. Dr Anne Sutcliffe (formerly team 3 Consultant Anaesthetist) gave an address.

The 9th reunion was held on 7th April 2019 where Prof Sir Keith Porter gave the address. The event was supported secretarially by Ms Kelly Butler, Prof Porter’s PA. Dianne Alexander commissioned a reunion cake made by Lisa Heathcote, the daughter of Karen Beasley formerly of the Medical records staff at the Acci. The proposed event to be held on 30th April 2020 was cancelled because of the Covid-19
lockdown and will take place on 2nd May 2021.

For many former staff members, the reunion has been an annual trip down memory lane. Numbers have remained in the region of 200 attendees but quite often a variation in who attends indicating a wider following. At each reunion, the names of those departed since the last reunion are read out and remembered. After the address attendees are given an opportunity to share personal memories of the hospital. Attendees regularly bring old photographs to the event.

Long live the memory of the Acci. Reunions will continue so long as we have participants.