History
The hospital is on the site of the former Kingston Union Workhouse, which was built in 1837-1839 as a result of the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834. An infirmary was built on the site of what is now Regent Wing in 1843. A nurses home complex was built in the north west corner of the site in 1897, which was partially demolished in 1998 to build a car park.
In 1902 the infirmary was separated from the workhouse and named Kingston Infirmary. In 1920 it was renamed Kingston and District Hospital. In 1948, when the NHS was launched, the entire former workhouse site was given over to the hospital, and many of the original buildings were demolished. Esher Wing was built in the 1970s.
In June 2007, the Trust opened a new Surgical Centre with a new 100 bedded facility, housing surgical and gynaecology wards. The centre also houses the physiotherapy department, education centre and the staff and visitor restaurant, The Dining Room.
More recently, in June 2008, the Trust opened the Sir William Rous Unit, for those with cancer or concerned they might have cancer. The unit is run in partnership between, Kingston Hospital, The Royal Marsden Hospital and Macmillan Cancer Support so as to provide the best possible care for patients with cancer.
The Trust is currently involved in the process of applying for foundation status, which will provide it with greater autonomy within the NHS.
Read more about this topic: Kingston Hospital
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