The Second World War

February 10th, 2010 by Admin Leave a reply »

During the Second World War (1939-1945), the hospital was once again commandeered for military use. It became the Whitchurch Emergency Hospital.  800 beds were used for the reception and treatment of war casualties, including civilians and 200 beds were retained for civilian mental patients.  Once again, most of the existing mental patients were transferred to neighbouring mental hospitals.

By the summer of 1940, the hospital was functioning as a general casualty, orthopaedic, neurosis and mental hospital.  As the war progressed, the hospital became a specialist orthopaedic centre, a function which was to transfer to Rhydlafer Hospital after the war.

For more information on Rhydlafer Hospital visit, http://www.pentyrch.org.uk/rhydlafar

After the war in 1945, under the direction of Dr. Thomas Hennelly, Medical Superintendent, the hospital retuned to its function caring for the mentally ill.  In 1948, with the establishment of the National Health Service, the hospital was renamed Whitchurch Hospital.

Thanks to Tim Goosey for this post.

Advertisement

Leave a Reply