Report - Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff - Aug 2023

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WHITCHURCH HOSPITAL / ASYLUM​

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Whitchurch Hospital / Asylum : Cardiff - Wales cc2023

HISTORY

The idea for Whitchurch Hospital, formerly the Cardiff City Mental Hospital - or Cardiff City Asylum as it was sometimes known - was softened at the end of the 19th century.

Even though it did not formally open until cc1908, Whitchurch was undoubtedly a product of Victorian Age thinking and medical practice. Undoubtedly this is something from which it has suffered ever since.


Opening on 15th April cc1908 after 10 years of construction, the Cardiff City Asylum covered 5 acres and cost £350,000. The hospital had a capacity of 750 patients across 5 male and 5 female wards. Like most of the Victorian asylums, it was designed from out outset to be a fully self contained institute. As such, it had its own 150ft water tower and a farm providing food supplies and work for the patients.

The asylum also had two Belliss and Morcom steam engine powered electric generator sets which were removed from standby service in the mid-cc1980s.


During WW1, Whitchurch Hospital was used by the military and became known as the Welsh Metropolitan War Hospital and was used to treat injured soldiers requiring orthopaedic treatment. The psychiatric patients were moved to other institutions.

There was very little provision for people who were mentally ill during the early part of the 19th century, mental illness being closely associated - in the minds of the general public - with poverty and crime. The wealthy could afford to hire doctors or nurses for members of their family who had mental health problems, could even place them, if necessary, in private hospitals or asylums.

For the poor, however, there was little provision - just a small scattering of public hospitals or, inevitably, the workhouse. As the Industrial Revolution changed the make up of society the problem of vagrancy and of paupers with significant mental health problems became significant. As a result county asylums were created, places where "pauper lunatics," as they were known, could be conveniently herded - and forgotten.


Cardiff saw an enormous rise in its population as the 19th century unfolded.

In cc1851 it was 18,351 - 20 years later that figure had risen to nearly 40,000. Inevitably there was a growing need for mental health provision.

Banded brickwork and the 150 foot water tower dominated the site which consisted of 10 hospital blocks, five for men and five for women. A self contained farm was to be an important feature of the hospital, providing food and therapeutic work for patients.

There was much controversy over this farm, which was originally intended to cost some £4,000. The plan was castigated in the Welsh press, with cartoonists in particular having a field day. The proposed plans were soon altered and the cost reduced to £2,000.


The first medical superintendent was Dr Edwin Goodhall and the first patients arrived at the hospital on 1 May cc1908. By the end of June more than 600 patients, mostly male but a large contingent of women as well, had been admitted.

Within a few years Whitchurch Hospital had acquired a remarkable reputation at the forefront of mental health care. This was down to the quality and commitment of the nurses and medical staff and, in particular, Dr Goodall. Concern for the welfare of patients went beyond simple custodial care and there was a very real desire to help people with their problems and, if possible, to assist them in taking a place in society, however limited that involvement might be.


During World War One the hospital was run by the military as a general medical and surgical institution, its patients having been disbanded to other mental hospitals around the area. In cc1919 things returned to normal, patients returning from their enforced stays elsewhere.

During the cc1930s the hospital constantly received good reports, a high proportion of the nurses being qualified in both general and mental health nursing. Until the late cc1930s, however, those nurses worked a 60-hour week, living in the hospital where their private and social lives were stringently governed and controlled.

Research into the causes and treatment of mental illness was always a part of Dr Goodall's programmes, Whitchurch was well equipped with laboratories and research equipment. The number of patients discharged from Whitchurch was better than almost all other similar institutions in Britain, and after-care was equally as important to Goodall and his team.


During World War Two part of the hospital was again in use by the military. Eight hundred beds were handed over to the military, making Whitchurch the largest emergency services hospital in Wales.

Unlike World War One, 200 beds were retained for civilian mental health patients. Over the six years of conflict British, American and occasionally even German soldiers were treated there for wounds and for the psychological trauma of modern warfare.


On 5 July cc1948, the hospital was taken over by the Ministry of Health as the National Health Service came into existence. The hospital continued to be well-used throughout the cc1960s and '70s, even though many were now questioning the viability of large, outmoded institutions such as this.

In the early years of the 21st century plans were made to close the old hospital with its echoing corridors and looming shadows. A combination of day care, specialised provision at nearby Llandough Hospital and a small, purpose-built set of wards on the site of the old Harvey Jones Adolescent Unit would be in the best interests of patients and staff.

The hospital was absorbed into the National Health Service in cc1948.

The hospital’s role began to change in the mid-cc1980s - when care in the community began to reduce the number of resident patients. By the early cc2000s the hospital was considered unsuitable for the requirements of 21st century psychiatry. Services were gradually moved out to either new purpose built facilities or into the community. Whitchurch Hospital finally closed its doors to business and care in April cc2016.​

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THE EXPLORE

Myself and some mates drove for hours to reach this location.

Once we finally arrived we walked the perimeter of the site and made notes about possible obstacles. The main things we noticed were the presence of security complete with a loud dog at the very front, we also noted a number of cameras, some obvious some not so obvious.

Once we figured a way inside the fence we weren't able to find an easy way inside the structure...after looking around for a while we left.

We returned a while later after working out a much better and easier way inside that was much more stealth.

The site was huge and knowing where to go once inside was both a challenge and disorientating - so we started almost next to the 150ft Water Tower.

It was great fun, we'd wanted to document an Asylum for the longest time and seeing one as magnificent and deteriorated as this ticked all the boxes. We spent around 3 hours inside photographing as much as possible whilst also recording the adventure.

Whilst we didn't get to explore the whole site, we were more than happy exploring the areas we did manage to cover.

We took many photographs - the saying goes 'a picture paints a thousand words' so multiple pics and video should paint a masterpiece.

We left a different way than we entered as we received a tip off that security were 'taking a look around' so with little haste we left the site.


We respected the buildings that we explored and followed the un written code 'take nothing but photos/videos - leave nothing but footprints'. We were extremely quiet for the most part aside from the crunching of glass beneath our feet and the accidental kicking of already shattered toilet bowls that littered some areas.

Surprisingly we didn't bump into any other explorers.


"At one stage I was busy photographing one area and 'lost' my friends - The sound of silence and the long corridors was eerie but I wasn't at all worried and found some other areas my friends hadn't yet found.

All in all the explore was a success and was easily one of our favourite and best explores of the year."


FUTURE

Despite plans first put forward way back in cc1995 to redevelop the site and building - flats, houses, and offices it all remain abandoned with planning permission having now lapsed several times. Those plans last expired in cc2020, some of the smaller buildings now a serious concern.

The site has now fallen into such disrepair that it has recently been named by The Victorian Society as one of the most endangered buildings across the UK.

Some plans were put forward for housing etc. A New Cancer Hospital has also been mentioned - However locals fear the worst that the site and meadows may be sold off to 'greedy developers'.



A list released annually features both Victorian and Edwardian buildings the charity The Victorian Society' deems Whitchurch to be of national importance but facing the prospect of being lost forever.

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[clebby]

First picture aside, it’s great to see it again - and you’ve covered it thoroughly. Thanks!

 

[tumbles]

INSANE

 

[mockney reject]

INSANE

Mentally insane, lunatic like

 

[jST]

well_done_for_getting_out_there

 

[Seffy]

Blimey it gets @clebby 's triannual seal of approval; must be good!

 

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View attachment 1068723

FINAL NOTES


Here are some more report worthy shots I found from this explore on my old camera storage.

A range of different shots all of which add more to this report.


The Whitchurch Hospital / Asylum is such a huge site it was difficult to capture its full offerings. It is an architectural delight which is sadly in a state of ultimate decay, every corridor had its own unique feel and design and each lead
to an equally interesting room. It was overwhelming really. I have included 'all' of the photographs I have now.. although it is tempting to 'pull' a few from the video footage I captured.

I'd like to think that we may return again one day and before any more of the ceilings collapse.

Photographically speaking this site has so much to offer.

I feel blessed to have been able to explore here.​

 

[Seffy]

Christ, she looks rough in places. Becoming the new Severalls, surely? Or even MWH if more of the ceilings start to come down