The Mid Wales Hospital, originally the Brecon and Radnor Joint Counties Lunatic Asylum was a psychiatric hospital in Talgarth, Wales
It was opened on March 18, 1903 and like other asylums of that time it was designed to be self-sufficient, and had its own private water, electricity, heating and sewerage systems. They also produced food for the hospital from the hospital farm.
There was a large recreation and dining hall, kitchens and workshops where the patients were encouraged to spend their time. There was even a tailor, bakery, shoe-maker and printing shops as well as 8 acres of market gardens.
In July 1940 the hospital was given over to military use and most of the patients were transferred to other Welsh mental hospitals until it was returned to civilian use in 1947.
In 1948 the hospital became part of the National Health Service which brought a number of innovations, including art and occupational therapy and the integration of the sexes, who had previously occupied opposite sides of the hospital.
The hospital has been used for many different things including a College of Nursing and Midwifery and the Powys Drugs & Alcohol Council for substance misuse. With the introduction of Care in the Community and changing attitudes towards mental healthcare, the hospital finally closed in 1999.
There was a large recreation and dining hall, kitchens and workshops where the patients were encouraged to spend their time. There was even a tailor, bakery, shoe-maker and printing shops as well as 8 acres of market gardens.
In July 1940 the hospital was given over to military use and most of the patients were transferred to other Welsh mental hospitals until it was returned to civilian use in 1947.
In 1948 the hospital became part of the National Health Service which brought a number of innovations, including art and occupational therapy and the integration of the sexes, who had previously occupied opposite sides of the hospital.
The hospital has been used for many different things including a College of Nursing and Midwifery and the Powys Drugs & Alcohol Council for substance misuse. With the introduction of Care in the Community and changing attitudes towards mental healthcare, the hospital finally closed in 1999.
