Highlands Hospital
Encyclopedia
Highlands Hospital was a hospital
in Winchmore Hill
, in the London Borough of Enfield
. The hospital closed in 1993, and the site was developed for residential accommodation, although many of the original buildings remain. The site is designated a conservation area
and the former ambulance station is a grade II listed building.
) and was acquired by the Metropolitan Asylums Board
in 1883-4. In May 1885 the foundation stone was laid of what was originally to be named The Northern Convalescent Fever Hospital, and the hospital opened on 25 September, 1887, having been designed by architects Pennington and Bridgen.
Rather than having a single large building, the hospital comprised several smaller buildings, known as villas. In 1890, temporary huts were erected to increase capacity. The following year, further temporary iron huts were erected on a neighbouring site to the north of the existing hospital. During 1892 and 1893, 200 cases of scarlet fever
were treated in the Enfield Isolation Hospital by a Dr. J. J. Ridge, with a mortality rate of 2.5 per cent, compared to a 6.3 per cent mortality rate in other hospitals under the control of the Metropolitan Asylums Board in 1893.
In 1900, Enfield Urban District Council replaced these with a new isolation hospital, named Enfield Isolation Hospital, designed my the district council surveyor, a Mr Collins, and built by Chesoum and Sons. The Enfield and Edmonton Joint Hospital Board took control of Enfield Isolation Hospital in 1905. The main purpose of the hospital was to deal with infectious diseases with the notable exception of smallpox
.
Control of the Northern Convalescent Fever Hospital was transferred to London County Council
in 1930, and the site served as an emergency bed service hospital during World War II
. In 1938, four additional single storey ward blocks were added to the Enfield Isolation Hospital.
After the war, 200 post-encephalitic Parkinsonism
patients were cared for at the hospital by consultant geriatrician and former general practitioner
Joseph Sharkey, whose work at the hospital included the early trials of levodopa
in Parkinsonism.
Both the Northern Convalescent Fever Hospital and Enfield Isolation Hospital came under the control of to the National Health Service
on its formation in 1948, and both hospitals were renamed. The Northern Convalescent Fever Hospital became Highlands Hospital, and the Enfield Isolation Hospital became South Lodge Hospital. At this time, Highlands comprised 16 buildings with 480 beds.
In 1966, the hospitals were merged, with the new hospital retaining the Highlands name. The hospital became an acute hospital and had 550 beds in 1973.
The site was designated a conservation area by the Greater London Council
in 1986. In the same year, Enfield District Health Authority announced plans to close the hospital complex.
In 1993, Enfield District Health Authority (which was itself disbanded in 1996) agreed to the disposal of the 53 acres (214,483.6 m²) site to developers. The site was purchased for around £20 million. Some of the proceeds were used to construct the Highlands wing at Chase Farm Hospital
. Many of the old Highlands / Northern Convalescent Fever Hospital buildings were retained, but the South Lodge / Enfield Isolation Hospital buildings were demolished to make way for a supermarket
. A report published later by the borough council stated that the demolition of the historic South Lodge buildings was "in retrospect an unfortunate loss for the character of the area."
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
in Winchmore Hill
Winchmore Hill
Winchmore Hill is a district in the Borough of Enfield, North London, in the N21 postal district.- Location :With the Winchmore Hill conservation area as a focal point, Winchmore Hill is a ward of Enfield borough, bounded on the east by Green Lanes , Barrowell Green, Firs Lane and Fords Grove, and...
, in the London Borough of Enfield
London Borough of Enfield
The London Borough of Enfield is the most northerly London borough and forms part of Outer London. It borders the London Boroughs of Barnet, Haringey and Waltham Forest...
. The hospital closed in 1993, and the site was developed for residential accommodation, although many of the original buildings remain. The site is designated a conservation area
Conservation area
A conservation areas is a tract of land that has been awarded protected status in order to ensure that natural features, cultural heritage or biota are safeguarded...
and the former ambulance station is a grade II listed building.
History
The site was part of the Chaseville Park estate (originally part of Enfield ChaseEnfield Chase
Enfield Chase is an area in the London Borough of Enfield, North London. It was once covered by woodland and used as a royal deer park. While it is no longer officially a 'place', the Church of England Parish of St Mary Magdalene, Enfield Chase, officially holds that title, which was effectively...
) and was acquired by the Metropolitan Asylums Board
Metropolitan Asylums Board
The Metropolitan Asylums Board was established under Poor Law legislation, to deal with London's sick poor. It was established by the Metropolitan Poor Act 1867 and was wound up in 1930, its functions being transferred to the London County Council. Despite its name, the MAB was not involved in...
in 1883-4. In May 1885 the foundation stone was laid of what was originally to be named The Northern Convalescent Fever Hospital, and the hospital opened on 25 September, 1887, having been designed by architects Pennington and Bridgen.
Rather than having a single large building, the hospital comprised several smaller buildings, known as villas. In 1890, temporary huts were erected to increase capacity. The following year, further temporary iron huts were erected on a neighbouring site to the north of the existing hospital. During 1892 and 1893, 200 cases of scarlet fever
Scarlet fever
Scarlet fever is a disease caused by exotoxin released by Streptococcus pyogenes. Once a major cause of death, it is now effectively treated with antibiotics...
were treated in the Enfield Isolation Hospital by a Dr. J. J. Ridge, with a mortality rate of 2.5 per cent, compared to a 6.3 per cent mortality rate in other hospitals under the control of the Metropolitan Asylums Board in 1893.
In 1900, Enfield Urban District Council replaced these with a new isolation hospital, named Enfield Isolation Hospital, designed my the district council surveyor, a Mr Collins, and built by Chesoum and Sons. The Enfield and Edmonton Joint Hospital Board took control of Enfield Isolation Hospital in 1905. The main purpose of the hospital was to deal with infectious diseases with the notable exception of smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
.
Control of the Northern Convalescent Fever Hospital was transferred to London County Council
London County Council
London County Council was the principal local government body for the County of London, throughout its 1889–1965 existence, and the first London-wide general municipal authority to be directly elected. It covered the area today known as Inner London and was replaced by the Greater London Council...
in 1930, and the site served as an emergency bed service hospital 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...
. In 1938, four additional single storey ward blocks were added to the Enfield Isolation Hospital.
After the war, 200 post-encephalitic Parkinsonism
Parkinsonism
Parkinsonism is a neurological syndrome characterized by tremor, hypokinesia, rigidity, and postural instability. The underlying causes of parkinsonism are numerous, and diagnosis can be complex...
patients were cared for at the hospital by consultant geriatrician and former general practitioner
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
Joseph Sharkey, whose work at the hospital included the early trials of levodopa
Levodopa
L-DOPA is a chemical that is made and used as part of the normal biology of some animals and plants. Some animals including humans make it via biosynthesis from the amino acid L-tyrosine. L-DOPA is the precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine , and epinephrine collectively...
in Parkinsonism.
Both the Northern Convalescent Fever Hospital and Enfield Isolation Hospital came under the control of to 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...
on its formation in 1948, and both hospitals were renamed. The Northern Convalescent Fever Hospital became Highlands Hospital, and the Enfield Isolation Hospital became South Lodge Hospital. At this time, Highlands comprised 16 buildings with 480 beds.
In 1966, the hospitals were merged, with the new hospital retaining the Highlands name. The hospital became an acute hospital and had 550 beds in 1973.
The site was designated a conservation area by the Greater London Council
Greater London Council
The Greater London Council was the top-tier local government administrative body for Greater London from 1965 to 1986. It replaced the earlier London County Council which had covered a much smaller area...
in 1986. In the same year, Enfield District Health Authority announced plans to close the hospital complex.
In 1993, Enfield District Health Authority (which was itself disbanded in 1996) agreed to the disposal of the 53 acres (214,483.6 m²) site to developers. The site was purchased for around £20 million. Some of the proceeds were used to construct the Highlands wing at Chase Farm Hospital
Chase Farm Hospital
Chase Farm Hospital is a hospital in Enfield, north London, run by Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Hospitals Trust as part of the British National Health Service.The oldest part of the hospital was formerly part of a children's home...
. Many of the old Highlands / Northern Convalescent Fever Hospital buildings were retained, but the South Lodge / Enfield Isolation Hospital buildings were demolished to make way for a supermarket
Supermarket
A supermarket, a form of grocery store, is a self-service store offering a wide variety of food and household merchandise, organized into departments...
. A report published later by the borough council stated that the demolition of the historic South Lodge buildings was "in retrospect an unfortunate loss for the character of the area."
Notable former staff
- Joseph Sharkey, whose work at the hospital included the early trials of levodopaLevodopaL-DOPA is a chemical that is made and used as part of the normal biology of some animals and plants. Some animals including humans make it via biosynthesis from the amino acid L-tyrosine. L-DOPA is the precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine , and epinephrine collectively...
in Parkinsonism, cared for 200 post-encephalitic ParkinsonismParkinsonismParkinsonism is a neurological syndrome characterized by tremor, hypokinesia, rigidity, and postural instability. The underlying causes of parkinsonism are numerous, and diagnosis can be complex...
patients shortly after the second world war. - Peggy Mardell began her training as a fever nurse at Highlands aged 17, since general nurse training was not available below the age of 19. She became the regional nursing officer of the North West Thames Health Authority and was awarded the CBECBECBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
in 1982 for her services to healthcare. - Thomas Lansley worked as a medical laboratory technician at Highlands and went on to co-found the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine and chair the Institute of Medical Laboratory Scientists. His son, AndrewAndrew LansleyAndrew David Lansley, CBE, MP is the UK Secretary of State for Health, who has been the Conservative Member of Parliament for South Cambridgeshire since the 1997 general election, and was Shadow Secretary of State for Health from June 2004 until becoming Secretary of State for Health in May 2010...
, is the Secretary of State for HealthSecretary of State for HealthSecretary of State for Health is a UK cabinet position responsible for the Department of Health.The first Boards of Health were created by Orders in Council dated 21 June, 14 November, and 21 November 1831. In 1848 a General Board of Health was created with the First Commissioner of Woods and...
.