A Brief History of the League of Friends
- 1968 - League of Friends Established.
- 1968 - Attempt to close Halstead Hospital.
- 1972 - Day Room constructed at Halstead Hospital.
- 1978 - Further attempt to close the Hospital.
- 1993 - 20 bed Ward Unit built at the top of the site - (£622,000)
- 1997 - Birthing Unit built - (£49,000)
- 2012 - Rehabilitation Unit added to Ward Building (as shown below) - (£1,356,000)
- 2015 - Rehabilitation Unit officially named The Leonard Ratcliff Centre after the man who pioneered the project.
History of Halstead Hospital
- The original Hospital and grounds were donated to the Town by George Courtauld in 1884.
- In 1920 the out patients unit was added, generously donated by Dr. Elizabeth Courtauld.
- In 1948 the Hospital was taken from Local control and became part of the newly formed NHS. In the same year a Voluntary group was set up, called the House Committee, to receive donations for amenities at the Hospital.
- In 1968 the League of Friends was established, and later in that year there was a proposal by the Health Commissioners to close the Hospital. This was successfully defeated by the League of Friends, the Town Council and a large petition of over 3000 names.
- In order to protect the Hospital it was thought prudent to expand the facilities. This came about with fundraising and a substantial donation to the League. The 20 Bed Ward near the top of the site was planned, with the League taking a Lease on the land, constructing the building, and leasing the Unit to the Health Service (1993).
- The Rehabilitation Unit was added to the Ward Block in 2012, after 16 years of fundraising and several setbacks with changing NHS management.
- Halstead Hospital has been at the centre of health services for Halstead and the surrounding Villages since its inception.
- It offers In Patient Services, Out Patient Clinics, a Rehabilitation Centre including Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Podiatry.
- There is a Birthing Unit where the Community Midwives are based and hold various Parenting / Ante Natal Clinics.
- The Health Visitors are based in the upstairs of the Rehabilitation Unit (also Clerical staff). Their clinics and classes are held in the Halstead Hospital Out Patients Department.
(A full history of Halstead Hospital can be found in the book: A Centenary of Halstead Hospital (1884-1984) by Adrian Corder-Birch). A Leaflet about us can also be found below:
The League of Friends of Halstead Hospital Leaflet.pdf | |
File Size: | 1335 kb |
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A Selection of Pictures from when the Rehabilitation Unit (now The Leonard Ratcliff Centre) was newly completed in May 2012:
The Rehabilitation Unit was built by Rose Builders, who have kindly provided these pictures from completion. A case study can be found on their website: rosebuilders.co.uk/halstead-hospital/
The League of Friends of Halstead Hospital - Registered Charity Number: 1121313