Wigan Album

Hello Dr. Heaven, I just couldn't bring to mind the names of the wards that had been there previously, however in Past Forward Autumn 1999 there is an article covering the opening of the hospital, and it is a very interesting read too, the wards were Red Cross, North, Lancaster and Crawford, the old theatres and the sewing room was there too, and I'm sure too that the records office staff would have been extremely happy when the old patient records store (or Shed) at the rear of the hospital went, it was eerie enough going into there during the day never mind at the dead of night. The new build to the right on the top photo replaced the doctors common room, the med secs admin offices and orthodontics, I'm sure that there was also nurses quarters nicknamed Piccadilly in there too. I somewhat knew my way around at one time, now I just get lost.

Past Forward link: https://issuu.com/wlct/docs/23_autumn-winter-1999/11

Cyril - thanks for your reminiscences and for the Past Forward link about the history of the Infirmary. A few years ago I wrote up a history of Wigan Dispensary which provided charitable health care before the building of the Infirmary. It existed 1798-1873 and was then absorbed into the Infirmary which was called the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary and Dispensary up until the creation of the NHS when the word Dispensary was dropped. My write up is available at:

https://oldrailwaystuff.com/wigan-dispensary/

Thanks for posting that link to your write up Chris, it's an interesting and very informative read about the founding of medical sciences and patient healthcare in Wigan, and also information on the Doctors, Surgeons and other prominent people residing in Wigan at the time.

can anyone tell me a bit about the Christopher Home, when it was built, etc. Many thanks to anyone who can help.

I’m very late coming to this posting. However, I have to say that the links provided by Chris Heaven are, as Cyril testifies, a fascinating insight into the early 19th century in Wigan with regard to early history of medical care and in the town and its practitioners. Fascinating.