Ghosts of hospitals past
I know old hospitals aren't beautiful places but I think they're fascinating, in an eerie way. The website " Lost Hospitals of London " lists 680 hospitals in its index, nearly all of which no longer exist. The reasons for this are varied, but the establishment of the NHS in 1948 and subsequent centralisation of services is a major one. With the advent of new treatments such as antibiotics and vaccinations, isolation hospitals for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis aren't needed as much. People spend less time in hospital following surgery and more conditions can be treated in outpatient facilities or at home. Croydon University Hospital, previously known as Mayday hospital, was originally an infirmary built for the nearby Croydon Workhouse. From London Road, the buildings look more modern, but the Woodcroft Wing behind is part of the original infirmary buildings. The stone below is located in a corridor in the Woodcroft Wing and proudly details the workhou...