Withington Community Hospital - History

History

Originally known as the Chorlton Barlow Moor Work House, the hospital was purpose-built in 1854–55 as a workhouse for the poor of the Chorlton Poor Law Union, which covered most of south Manchester. In 1859 it had as inmates 458 adults (including minors of 17 and upwards) and 195 children. In the 1880s conditions were improved at the instigation of Dr J. Milson Rhodes one of the board members: the removal of the children to Styal was one of his reforms. In 1864-66, it was converted into a hospital for the poor with the notable British nurse, Florence Nightingale, quoted as saying "... your hospital plan will be one of the best, if not the best, in the country" when writing to the architect Thomas Worthington–upon initial observation of the plans. The hospital also provided support for the military just after the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 and German prisoners of war were kept there. At this time it was known as simply Withington Hospital, being named that after a change in 1910. (It was until 1904 outside the city of Manchester in Withington Urban District.) The frontage of 1854–55 is showy and the chapel is Italianate in style: behind were the seven pavilions of the hospital of 1864-66 with many later buildings all over the site. In the later years all the old buildings were taken over by the hospital and a new smaller workhouse was built on the opposite side of Nell Lane: this closed in 1928.

It was occupied by the military for some time before reverting to civilian patients: in 1929 it had beds for 1,300 patients, 12 pavilions and 11 visiting staff. The National Health Service form was introduced in 1948 under Aneurin Bevan. It had developed considerably since that period until the 1990s, when the hospital faced closure; its fate was sealed when the doors shut in 2002. When this occurred, the trust operating the then defunct hospital relocated units across the city. Three of the former buildings are Grade II listed.