History
The hospital originates in the provision of workhouses under the Poor Law. The first part of the current site was a field purchased in 1845, on which was built the Leeds Moral and Industrial Training School. This building forms part of the current Lincoln Wing. There then followed the Leeds Union Workhouse (which now houses the Thackray Museum), and the Leeds Union Infirmary (the site of the present Gledhow Wing).
By the end of the 19th century, the buildings had become largely used for medical care of the poor, rather than workhouse and training. During the First World War it was called the East Leeds War Hospital, caring for armed services personnel.
From 1881 the Medical Superintendent of the Leeds Union Infirmary was Dr James Allen. Upon his retirement in 1925, it was renamed St James's Hospital, to honour him, and also Sir James Ford, of the Leeds Board of Guardians, who had overseen the conversion from workhouse to hospital. It expanded following the creation of the National Health Service in 1948, and further starting in 1963 when the whole site was redeveloped. In 1970, following expansion of Leeds Medical School, it was renamed St James's University Hospital.
In 2010, all children's A&E facilities were moved to Leeds General Infirmary, which meant the loss of this service at St James's. The A&E department at St James's is now just for adults.
Read more about this topic: St James's University Hospital
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