Hawley Hospital Explained

Hawley Hospital
Map Type:Devon
Location:Barnstaple
Region:Devon
State:England
Country:UK
Healthcare:NHS
Type:Specialist
Speciality:Tuberculosis
Founded:1920
Closed:1963

The Hawley Hospital was a specialist hospital in Barnstaple, Devon, founded in 1920 as a pulmonary tuberculosis sanatorium as part of a network of such facilities,[1] instigated by the Public Health (Tuberculosis Regulations) 1912.[2]

History

The hospital was set up to take tuberculosis (TB) patients in the North Devon area, and was administratively linked to the Hawkmoor County Sanatorium near Bovey Tracey, with the building complete in 1920.

Staff shortages in 1946 led to a restriction on the admission of patients, and led the Devon Public Health Committee to consider its closure.[3]

It joined the NHS in 1948, and was placed in to the Exeter Special Hospital Management Committee, which looked after the specialist TB, smallpox, and isolation hospitals.[4]

In 1949, 23 patients were admitted and 17 discharged, with two patients dying and 2 being transferred to other hospitals.[5]

The hospital was closed on 31 March 1963, with all patients and future treatment transferred to Hawkmoor Hospital.[6]

Location

The hospital was located on Sowden Lane, to the East of the centre of Barnstaple.[7]

The site is now a housing estate, still bearing road names such as Hawley Manor and Hawley Close.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The National Archives. Hospital Records - Hawkwoor . 30 September 2018.
  2. Book: Lloyd, J Henry. Medical and sanatorium benefit regulations. 1914.
  3. News: North Devon Journal. Hawley Hospital: The Future Discussed at Exeter. 1946-07-04.
  4. Book: Report for nine months from 5th July, 1948 to 31st March, 1949. Exeter Special Hospital Management Committee. July 1949.
  5. Book: Davies, L Meredith. Annual Report of the County Medical Officer for the year 1949. 1949. Devon County Council Medical Department.
  6. Book: 45. The health of Devon in 1963: The annual report of the County Medical Officer and Principal School Medical Officer. 2 September 1963 .
  7. Ordnance Survey. Devonshire Sheet XIII.7. 1939.