Whittingham

Architect Henry Littler 

Opened 1869

Patients Up to 2800 (although during the war years it was up to 3533!)

Closed Mid 1990's

Other A third of the complex has been demolished, a third is gutted with the roof tiles gone and the last third intact

 

The original cost of the buildings was just over £338,000 in 1869, which would be well into the millions in today's terms. Within the hospital complex was also a Infectious Disease Hospital and a large chapel.

The site was considered big enough to warrant its own railway, which like Hellingly carried not only goods and materials but also staff and visitors, sadly in 1957 it was no longer considered a vi-able option and it closed.

Until 1948 the complex was called the Forth County Lunatic Asylum but with the advent of the NHS this changed and it was called Whittingham Hospital.

In 1967 it was brought to light that all in Whittingahm was not well with complaints by nurses of widespread misuse of power. These included serious complaints of cruelty mistreatment and fraud. The conditions were hushed up by the more senior staff member until a new psychologist was employed in 1968.

With the help of this new Psychologist an inquiry of the earlier complaints was issued. Details were brought to light of:

• Patients being dragged by their hair
• Wet towels being twisted around a patients neck until they lost conciseness
• Patients being restrained and tied to chairs
• Some Wards infested with ants and cockroaches
• Patients being locked in store cupboards
• and widespread fraud

All complaints were widely denied, but due to the enquiry certain staff were dismissed and changes took place which saw the widespread introduction of occupational and work therapy and in the 1970's an attempt of resocialisation to allow long stay patients to live by their own means outside the hospital.

With new treatments and drugs becoming available and the thought that the mentally ill need no longer be locked away for their own benefit but rather cured and sent out into the world the numbers of patients within the institution dwindled and closure became even more imminent with the opening of a Psychiatric wing at general hospital in Preston.

Staff were found alternate employment and the hospital shut for good in the mid 1990's.

Walking around Whittingham it soon becomes evident just how fast the internal structure has fallen into almost dangerous disrepair, many of the floor are rotten through and make for quite a careful exploration. Also allot of vandalism has happened since it has been closed. I expect that like other places its past lack of security and remote location have not helped to curb vandals.

Although mostly stripped there are allot of outstanding architectural features still within the building. Including the long arched corridors and the amazing Main Hall.

Whittingham was passed to English Partnerships last year and security has recently been stepped up so it cant be too long before we see yet another "little box" hosing plan for this great example a Victorian Institutional building.

Whittingham Tour Gallery