South Ockendon Hospital
South Ockendon Hospital (known locally as The Colony) was a hospital for patients with severe learning difficulties and for patients with major and rare mental health illnesses in South Ockendon, Essex, England.
| South Ockendon Hospital | |
|---|---|
 One of the few remaining hospital buildings (now used as a community club) | |
  Shown in Essex | |
| Geography | |
| Location | South Ockendon, Essex, England, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51.5182°N 0.3013°E |
| Organisation | |
| Care system | Public NHS |
| Type | Mental health |
| History | |
| Opened | 1932 |
| Closed | 1994 |
| Links | |
| Lists | Hospitals in England |
History
The site acquired for the hospital, which once formed part of the South Ockendon Hall estate, was known as Little Mollands Farm.[1] It opened as the South Ockendon Colony, a facility for "mental defectives", in 1932.[1][2] It joined the National Health Service in 1948 when it was renamed the South Ockendon Hospital.[2] The foundation stone for the Gloucester Clinic, a new clinical facility, was laid by the Duchess of Gloucester in 1955.[1]
In 1974 an employee at the hospital anonymously sent Barbara Robb, a campaigner for the well-being of elderly people, pages torn from a ward report book, describing severe injuries probably inflicted by staff on a patient. Robb's personal involvement and persistence was recognized by Barbara Castle, Secretary of State for Health and Social Services.[3]
After the introduction of Care in the Community in the early 1980s the hospital went into a period of decline and closed in 1994.[4] Most of the buildings were demolished, except for a building which was subsequently converted for use as a community club, and redevelopment of the site, now known as the Brandon Groves Estate, was completed in 2000.[1]
References
- "South Ockendon Hospital". Lost Hospitals of London. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
- Powell, W R (1978). "'Parishes: South Ockendon', in A History of the County of Essex". London: British History Online. pp. 117–126. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
- Anon, 'Disturbing report on a hospital: health authorities to be asked to review standards of care' Times, 16 May 1974, 16
- "South Ockendon Hospital: 1932-1994". Your Thurrock. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 24 October 2018.