Runwell Hospital
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox hospital
| Name = Runwell Hospital
| Org/Group = South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
| Image = St. Luke's church at Runwell Hospital - geograph.org.uk - 762139.jpg
| Caption = St. Luke's church at Runwell Hospital
| Logo =
| Location = Wickford
| Region = Essex
| State =
| Country = England
| HealthCare = NHS
| Type = Specialist
| Speciality = Psychiatric
| Emergency = No
| Affiliation= Anglia Ruskin University
| Beds =
| Founded = 1937
| Closed = 2010
| Website = {{URL|http://www.sept.nhs.uk}}
| Wiki-Links =
| map_type = Essex
| map_caption=Shown in Essex
| coordinates={{coord|51.6352|0.5418|type:landmark_region:GB-ESS|display=inline,title}}
}}
Runwell Hospital was a hospital in the Chelmsford district of Essex. It was managed by the South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.
History
File:Male Nurses- Life at Runwell Hospital, Wickford, Essex, 1943 D14313.jpg is performed at Runwell Hospital in 1943]]
Following the ending of contracts accommodating patients at the Essex County Council's Brentwood Mental Hospital, joint facilities were developed between East Ham and Southend-on-Sea boroughs.{{cite web|url=https://www.countyasylums.co.uk/runwell-chelmsford/|title=Runwell Hospital|publisher=County Asylums|accessdate=4 November 2018}} A site was chosen in Runwell at Runwell Hall Farm, to the north of the town of Wickford and the firm of Elcock and Sutcliffe were chosen as architects to the site, the former having previously designed the new Bethlem Royal Hospital at Monks Orchard.
The foundation stone was laid by Laurence Brock in June 1934 and the hospital was officially opened by Sir Kingsley Wood, Minister of Health, as Runwell Mental Hospital in June 1937. The chapel, dedicated to St. Luke, was placed in a prominent position.
The hospital was bombed by the German Luftwaffe during the Second World War;{{cite web|url=https://www.wickfordhistory.org.uk/content/topics/times-of-war/mine_explosion_in_runwell_hospital_grounds_and_landmine_blood_transfusion_unit|title=Runwell Hospital in a time of war|publisher=Wickford History|accessdate=4 November 2018}} there was extensive damage including a number of large craters but no injuries to staff.
The hospital joined the National Health Service in 1948 and Professor John Corsellis led to the development of a "brain bank", using samples taken from patients not just from the hospital but from elsewhere in the United Kingdom. It became Runwell Hospital in 1955.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/details.asp?id=936&page=52|title=Runwell Hospital|publisher=National Archives|accessdate=4 November 2018}} Following the introduction of Care in the Community in the early 1980s, the hospital went into a period of decline and eventually closed in August 2010.
Proposals to develop the site initially included provision for a large prison{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/8481973.stm|title=New Runwell prison plan submitted|date=26 January 2010|publisher=BBC|accessdate=4 November 2018}} but this proposal was withdrawn following strong local opposition.{{cite web|url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/8281508.Whitehall_withdraws_Runwell_prison_plan____for_now/|title=Whitehall withdraws Runwell prison plan... for now|date=21 July 2010|publisher=Basildon Echo|accessdate=4 November 2018}} The site has since been developed for residential use by Countryside Properties and the area is now known as St Luke's Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.hbdonline.co.uk/news/a-landmark-development-st-lukes-park-is-coming-soon/|title=A landmark development – St Luke's Park is coming soon|date=18 January 2016|publisher=Housebuilder and Developer|accessdate=4 November 2018}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.beyondthepoint.co.uk/property/runwell-hospital/ Runwell Hospital History] Beyond the Point
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Category:History of mental health in the United Kingdom
Category:Hospital buildings completed in 1937