Freedom Fields Hospital
Encyclopedia
Freedom Fields Hospital was a city hospital in Plymouth, England until 1998, though its responsibilities had been slowly reduced since 1982. The building served the community's medical needs in many capacities over its history, and its location currently provides inexpensive housing.
in 1858, and was enlarged steadily until 1909. Like other workhouses, it was changed into a hospital in 1930 and became known as the 'Plymouth City Hospital'. When the National Health Service
was established in 1951 it was renamed 'Freedom Fields Hospital'. Further extension and improvements to the building took place, with the addition of several new sections, including a pharmacy
and an intensive care unit
.
The building suffered significant damage during World War II
. It was bombed several times during attacks on the areas surrounding Plymouth Sound
. Several nurses, doctors, and patients (Including 19 infants in 1940) were killed over the course of these bombings.
History
The hospital was first opened as a workhouseWorkhouse
In England and Wales a workhouse, colloquially known as a spike, was a place where those unable to support themselves were offered accommodation and employment...
in 1858, and was enlarged steadily until 1909. Like other workhouses, it was changed into a hospital in 1930 and became known as the 'Plymouth City Hospital'. When the National Health Service
National Health Service
The National Health Service is the shared name of three of the four publicly funded healthcare systems in the United Kingdom. They provide a comprehensive range of health services, the vast majority of which are free at the point of use to residents of the United Kingdom...
was established in 1951 it was renamed 'Freedom Fields Hospital'. Further extension and improvements to the building took place, with the addition of several new sections, including a pharmacy
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
and an intensive care unit
Intensive Care Unit
thumb|220px|ICU roomAn intensive-care unit , critical-care unit , intensive-therapy unit/intensive-treatment unit is a specialized department in a hospital that provides intensive-care medicine...
.
The building suffered significant damage during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was bombed several times during attacks on the areas surrounding Plymouth Sound
Plymouth Sound
Plymouth Sound, or locally just The Sound, is a bay at Plymouth in England.Its southwest and southeast corners are Penlee Point in Cornwall and Wembury Point on Devon, a distance of about 3 nautical miles . Its northern limit is Plymouth Hoe giving a north-south distance of nearly 3 nautical miles...
. Several nurses, doctors, and patients (Including 19 infants in 1940) were killed over the course of these bombings.