Image ID: 42681

The General Hospital

London Road
Newark on Trent
Nottinghamshire
England

This is a photocopy of an original line drawing from Edgar Hine's 'Presentation blotter', published by S. Whiles in Newark in 1891. Newark general Hospital on London Road was opened in April 1881. The foundation stone had been laid by the Rev. Dr Pearson who had just been elected Bishop of Newcastle, Australia, in the summer of 1880. The architect was William Bliss Sanders (who later designed part of Warwicks & Richardsons brewery on Northgate, Newark), and the builders Messrs. Smith & Lunn. The total cost of building and furniture was just under £7000. A 'Short History of Newark Hospital' published c.1904 describes the building thus: The building is of red brick, and has a most imposing frontage. There are two large wards and a private ward on the first floor - the female ward named the 'Ossington ward', and the male ward the 'Branston ward', as a slight acknowledgement of the munificent gifts of these two benefactors to the Hospital. These wards contain twelve beds each. On the ground floor is the ancient ward, containing nine beds; the Board room, House Surgeon's apartments, dining room, nurse's sitting room, matron's and sister's private rooms, kitchen and store rooms. At the back is the outpatients' department, casualty room, and Dispensary, and above these are two Isolation wards, containing two beds each. A long corridor connects this portion of the building with the main block. On one side of this corridor are nurses' bedrooms, and on the opposite side the operating room, which is a very excellent one, and fitted up in the most modern style with the latest aseptic accessories. A large garden surrounds the whole building. This was given by the late Mr Henry Branston and Mr Becher Tidd Pratt. In 1893 Mr Henry Branston laid out the garden on the north side, and added an excellent tennis court for the use of the resident staff. The Newark General Hospital on London Road continued in operation until April 1996 when a new hospital for the town was opened on Boundary Road, Newark. At the time of writing (August 2003) the old General Hospital is the headquarters of the local firm Derry Building Services

Date: 1891

Organisation Reference: NCCE001068

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