Wordsley
Architect ??
Opened 1904
Patients A lot
Closed 7 Jan 2005
The hospital was originally built in 1904 as a pavilion plan infirmary for the local workhouse. The Administration building at the front of the now closed hospital site has an imposing clock tower.
In 1915 the infirmary was used as an annexe to the 1st Southern Military Hospital which had its base in Birmingham. After the war the hospital reverted back into civilian hands and in 1930 became known as a public assistance union giving medical help to those who otherwise would not be able to afford it. With the advent of the National Health Service the site became known as Wordsley Hospital. 
A maternity block was built later, four stories high and very ugly architecturally. The hospital came under a lot of criticism in 2001 when it was placed under the special measures scheme for failing hospitals and again in May 2002 when a baby was snatched for the top floor of the Maternity section by an 18 year old girl, the baby was found and returned to her mother but serious concerns were raised.
The hospital finally closed in 2005 and when I visited with DocD in November 2006 some demolition work had already began including the rear section of the 
Administration block, work was halted part way though the site clearance as allegedly the contractors and the developers were trying to remove a listed building.
The site now remains in limbo while plans are ironed out regarding the future of the site. Unfortunately the inside of the maternity block and the other sections at the rear of the site have become a prime target for vandals and thieves, the maternity block appears to have had everything that is possibly saleable stripped from its walls and all around there are signs of vandalism.
What remains of the administration building is relatively untouched inside. Access to the tower was pretty easy
to find and although the climb was a bit nerve racking I managed to see the clock and the bell before I turned into a jelly lump!! The basement of the hospital was probably the best bit for me as tucked away in a small dark corner were a few filing cabinets with staff records in them, there was even a file for dismissed staff!!