1801    Census – population West Riding 576,000

 

1845    Act of Parliament required the construction

             of County Asylums 
             

1875    Railway comes to Menston, increasing 
             the local Population

 

1885    Construction began on the Pauper Lunatic 
             Asylum, railway entered site to carry building 
             materials.

 

1888   The hospital opened on October 8th

 

1889    900 patients rise to 1500

 

1892    Average cost per patient per week -9   

             shillings 3 pence

 

1893    No chapel on site

 

1895    Two new blocks built

 

1897    Electric traction shed built

 

1898   1,526 patients

 

1901    Census – population risen to 2.5 million

 

1901    Working hours reduced from 87 to 79 per

             week

 

1905   The hospital had it's own graveyard adjacent

             to the railway

 

1905   Fire in Litton Ward put out by own fire engine

 

1909   New block built for 120 male patients

 

1911   Still no chapel

 

1913   333 pigs slaughtered – swine fever

 

1914   Outbreak of the Great War – the hospital  

            treated many shell shocked Soldiers

 

1915   2,601 patients

 

1918   War over – flu epidemic – 89 patients and one
            nurse died

 

1919   48 hour week

 

1924   Wireless (radio) for patients and silent cinema

 

1927   Surgical theatre, x-ray room and weekly visit
           from dentist started

 

1930   Electric light installed and talking cinema

 

1935   First patient shop opened

 

1936   Occupational therapy introduced

 

1939   Built six huts for emergency hospital –

            severe overcrowding during world War 2 

            and reduction of staff. By end of war            

            2,420 patients, ratio 3 staff per 75

 

1945   Victory Day – patients sports and fancy dress.

            Modern furniture introduced

 

           

1948    Many beneficial changes as a result of the  
             National Health Service

 

1963    Title of High Royds Hospital established and 
             wards given names

 

1966    First pre-fabricated church built, but 

             destroyed by fire 1980

 

1969    Last burial in graveyard, 2,858 in unmarked  
             graves

 

1983    New church built on the site of the old one 

             and a multi faith room in 1999

 

2003    The end of an era  -  High Royds Hospital   

             finally closes.

 

2008    Building of newhomes and conversion of this  
             Grade 11 listed building is underway at the
             hands of Gladedale, and David Wilson Homes
 
 
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN