York Dispensary

The York Dispensary is a historic building in the city centre of York, in England.

The building, seen from Blake Street, in 2012

The York Dispensary was established in 1788 in a room in Merchant Adventurers' Hall. It provided free treatment to poor patients, and its doctors undertook home visits when necessary. In 1808, it moved into a house on St Andrewgate, then a purpose-built building on New Street in 1829. In 1899, it needed larger premises, and moved to a building on Duncombe Place, designed by Edmund Kirby and constructed at a cost of £6,000. The dispensary closed in 1948, following the founding of the National Health Service, and the following year, the building became a health service centre run by the city corporation.[1] The building was Grade II listed in 1975.[2]

The solicitors' offices, in 2018

Kirby was originally commissioned by the firm of solicitors, Messrs Gray, Dodsworth and Cobb to build offices. When the neighbouring site was purchased by the dispensary, it also took on Kirby, and tasked him with constructing both buildings in the same style.[3]

The building is constructed of red brick, with moulded brick dressings, stone window surrounds, tiled roofs, finials in terracotta and wrought iron, and a weathervane in the style of a snake. It has two main storeys, a basement, and an attic, with various gables and turrets. The former dispensary has an arched entrance with original double doors, and a carved stone panel above displaying the city's coat of arms and the text "YORK DISPENSARY". There is also an arched carriage entrance, with wrought iron gates, with "PATIENTS ENTRANCE" inscribed above. Inside, the original dispensary and office staircases survive, as do various doors, architraves and cornices.[2]