Shenley Hospital

Shenley Hospital was a psychiatric hospital at Shenley in Hertfordshire. It had two sister institutions, Harperbury Hospital and Napsbury Hospital, within a few miles of its location.[1]

Shenley Hospital
The water tower at the former hospital which has been converted for residential use
Shenley Hospital is located in Hertfordshire
Shenley Hospital
Shown in Hertfordshire
Geography
LocationShenley, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Coordinates51°41′40″N 0°17′34″W
Organisation
Care systemNational Health Service
FundingPublic hospital
TypeMental health
History
Opened1932
Closed1998
Links
ListsHospitals in England

History
The nurses' block at Shenley Hospital in the 1930s

In 1924 Middlesex County Council purchased Porters Park Estate, totaling 420 acres (170 ha) to create both the Harperbury and Shenley hospitals.[1]

The hospital was designed by WT Curtis[2] and constructed by John Laing & Son with the first phase being completed in 1932.[3] King George V and Queen Mary officially opened the hospital in 1934.[4] The second phase of construction was undertaken between 1935 and 1938.[1]

Patients underwent experimental treatments including malaria therapy to cure "insanity caused by syphilis", electro-convulsive therapy and insulin injections to remove psychotic thoughts.[5]

During the Second World War, part of the facility was used as a military hospital.[4] The hospital joined the National Health Service in 1948.[1]

A walled garden was established in the 1950s so that patients could grow their own fruit and vegetables.[4] A mother-and-baby unit was added in 1962.[5] Following the introduction of Care in the Community in the early 1980s, the hospital was downsized and eventually closed in 1998. The site was subsequently redeveloped for housing as Shenley Park.[6]

References
  1. "Shenley Hospital". Lost hospitals of London. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  2. "Shenley Hospital". County Asylums. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  3. Ritchie, p. 85
  4. "History of Shenley Park". Shenley Park. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  5. "Shenley Hospital: Life under observation". BBC. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  6. "Shenley Park". Hertsmere Council. Retrieved 12 September 2015.

Sources
  • Ritchie, Berry (1997). The Good Builder: The John Laing Story. James & James.
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