Visit Date May 2006
Putney Hospital
Architect: ?
Opened: 1912
Patients: ?
Closed: 1999
Other: In 1900 Sir Henry Chester left £75,000 for the building of a new hospital.
The land that Putney Hospital stands on was donated by Sir William Lancaster in 1900 as there was a desperate need for health care in the area, to make sure that the land would not be used for other means a stipulation was put in place that the land must always be used to serve the public in a medical capacity.
The building that now stands on the land was opened in 1912 and was a successful small London hospital until its closure in 1999, which at the time caused quite an outcry from the local community and the staff working on site.
Being abandoned for many years many measures have been taken to ensure that there is little to no vandalism, most windows are boarded and fire exits blocked. Internally all the power is still on which was quite surprising, its not often you walk round a building that has been deserted for so long and see lights on!
We did not spend to long in Putney hospital but we did see the physiotherapy room and the 2 x-ray suites which were still complete with all equipment which is a rare find. One of the external buildings holds the mortuary and chapel of rest, which still has the gurney's, dried flowers and the book of “arrivals”!
For 6 years the local council have been trying to redevelop the site but due to planning constraints and public disapproval all plans had fallen through. In 
January 2006 a new plan was made which would include a new primary care trust on site and well as housing. This plan was approved by the local residents and planning permission is being sought unfortunately this plan will see the demolition of the original hospital building sometime in 2007. Developers are hoping to have the new centre operational by 2009.