Birkwood Hospital
Birkwood Hospital was run by Lanarkshire Council for the care of children with severe learning disabilities. Opened in 1923, it provided care for both boys and girls and was one of the few psychiatric hospitals which dealt exclusively with children. Birkwood House, situated in Lesmahagow (Lanarkshire) was originally a stately home built in 1887 for the McKirdy family. Birkwood was purchased by Lanarkshire Council in 1920 and was first occupied as a certified Institution for Mental Defectives on 3rd July 1923. Birkwood House was one of several institutions which opened in accordance with the Mental Deficiency and Lunacy (Scotland) Act of 1913. The Act was passed ‘to make better and further provision for the care of Mentally Defective Persons and to amend the Law relating to Lunacy in Scotland.’ Birkwood House is a Grade B listed building and had extensions erected in 1921, 1946 and 1958. The new wing added in 1958 cost £94,000 and accommodated up to 80 more patients. The 1966 Western Regional Hospital Board, Hospital Survey and Draft Proposals for Mental Health Services, stated that Birkwood had 316 beds but suggested that could be extended to a further 376 beds to accommodate for overcrowding in Kirklands Hospital. However, by 1976, The Evening Times reported that Birkwood would have to cut beds due to a degree of overcrowding. Gradually, community based care became more acceptable concerning psychiatric patients and The Evening Times reported in 1981 that Birkwood was trialling an independent unit which would allow improving patients to look after themselves with minimum supervision. The Community Care Act 1990 gave rise to a more community-based focus for long-term care and consequently many of the long-term psychiatric hospitals closed. The hospital began to relocate patients in 2002 and officially closed in 2005.
The Visit
So, first off I will apologise if the pictures are not upto scratch. I am no export nor do I have the best of cameras compared to some on here, and to add to the misery my battery died half way through and I had to switch to the phone (boo!), but this was my first successful outing along with my brother, nah (new member) so we are/were pretty chuffed. I realise it has been done to death, but it's nice to have perspective on a buildings development through the deterioration stages imo, even if it is sad to see; taken 3/9/14.
I have to admit though, looking at the archived photos of this place on here compared to what we seen, some parts of this building are on their last legs. Many a time did we hear some butt clenching creaking, and the state of the floors in some rooms, with whole sections gone it's only a matter of time before the top ones collapse taking the lower ones with them (although with that said the rooms closer to the spiral staircase are in better condition), but getting there was tricky at times and we had to build a few make-shift bridges. It took us the best part of a day to explore the whole site, but with all of that said it's one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had in a while and certainly my new found hobby.
So, without further ado:
One bag of fresh lonely linen, is it just me that finds that strange?
Falling through to that basement don't look fun:
The bath I have seen so many posts about:
Still had toilet rolls and hand towels making me think no-one told facilities utill the last minute:
Unsold auction items (was quite a few items actually):
Bloody vandals
this should have all been donated or transferred to another hospital... our tax money just lying there.
I went to take a picture on the slab, and as it wasn't held down when I grabbed it, it fell on my toe... clearly some
thought this would be funny!
The kitchen is stripped bare:
Funny how the pikies steal everything except something that would refine them:
This was shocking to see, literally thousands of records from 60's to the 90's.
Stunning 360 view at the top:
That infamous spiral staircase:
My apologies if this is a bit pic heavy, but I got a little carried away with my first outing.. I have more posted here -> Birkwood Hospital in-case anyone is interested.
Thank-you for taking the time to look at my post, and please give me any criticism you may have as it's the only way I'll learn!
I am glad I found this place and looking forward to doing lots more
