EPR000656 ENGLAND (1935). The former West Ham Corporation Mental Hospital, Goodmayes Hospital, Ilford, from the south, 1935

Goodmayes Hospital, Ilford, Essex.



Former West Ham Borough Asylum founded 1898, opened 1st August 1901.



Built on a Compact Arrow layout, with a south-facing aspect, the central Administrative Block was flanked on either side with four ward pavilions, one designated for the sick and infirm, another for acute cases, one for epileptic patients and the last for chronic cases. The west side contained 350 beds in 8 wards for male patients, and the east side 450 beds in 9 wards for female patients. There was also an isolation block.



In 1918 the Asylum was renamed the West Ham Mental Hospital. The hospital was extended in 1925 and 1928-1934.



During the 1930s newer treatments were introduced at the Hospital, including insulin coma in 1937. During WW2 the Hospital joined the Emergency Medical Scheme and four of its wards were converted into an Emergency Base Hospital.



In 1948 the Hospital joined the NHS and during the 1950s began to operate an 'open-ward' policy. An Industrial Therapy Unit was also established, aimed at the rehabilitation of chronic patients who had become institutionalised.



In 1956 the Hospital had 1,356 beds, reduced to 1,331 in the following year. In 1975 there were 1,087 beds, in 1989, 674 beds and in 1993, 452 beds.



The Hospital site is still currently in use, with the laundry, water tower and boiler house providing services also for King George Hospital which relocated to the site in 1993.



The original buildings have now mostly been replaced and are likely to be redeveloped as housing.



Further reading: http://ezitis.myzen.co.uk/goodmayes.html