The old Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Dean Clark House
Perfect site to try out my new Tokina 11-16mm lense, the place has been well stripped out, but it was still a great explore. Visited there with Scotty and Scrub2000
The hospital is situated in Southernhay in Exeter and was opened in 1743. The first stage of the hospital had four wards - the Devon, the Exeter, the Bristol and the Winchester Wards. Interestingly, the beds were placed with their sides to the wall, foot to foot, under the windows. Later, they were placed with the foot of each bed against the wall, and it wasn't until 1821 that the head was placed in the conventional position, against the wall. Another feature, that could be reintroduced, for medicinal purposes only, was the brew-house which supplied three pints daily to each patient. Water was likely to be contaminated, so the supply of beer was usual in workhouses and hospitals, and would also supply the patient with much needed carbohydrates and vitamin B.
After the Duke and Duchess of York visited the hospital in 1899, the hospital was given permission to add Royal to its title, becoming the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Many medical improvements were introduced in the early 20th Century, especially radiography (x-rays) and improved anaesthesia. It wasn't until 1928 that the first Maternity Department was partly completed.
The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital escaped damage in the Exeter blitz and on 24th August 1948 the last board meeting was held before the hospital became part of the newly formed NHS. The buildings of the RD&E were becoming inadequate for a modern health service and in 1974, the hospital moved to a new, purpose built facility on the Heavitree cricket field at Wonford.
Since 1974 it been used by the Exeter Health trust until June 2007. Now it is earmaked for redevelopment as a mixed site including residential accommodation, a hotel and office premises. The planning process is expected to take 12 to 18 months and, due to the grade II* listing status, this will involve English Heritage.
Overview of the site
We managed to get in to the Halford, Victoria and Dean Clarke and heres the pics
Front view of Victoria Wing
Halford Wing Front
Trying to get panoramic view of site
Now for inside
Before As Exeter health Trust
As of now
Overlooking Southernhay
Ward in Dean Clarke Wing
Operations room ??
Roof above lift shaft
Another ward
Found these down in the basement prob part of the old chapel
Another corridoor with patient room off to the right
Great room this and the light fitting - nhs defo couldnt afford that now
Looking up throught the main stair well in Dean Clarke House
Nurses Desk
Another corridor shot
and finally a leaving shot
Perfect site to try out my new Tokina 11-16mm lense, the place has been well stripped out, but it was still a great explore. Visited there with Scotty and Scrub2000
The hospital is situated in Southernhay in Exeter and was opened in 1743. The first stage of the hospital had four wards - the Devon, the Exeter, the Bristol and the Winchester Wards. Interestingly, the beds were placed with their sides to the wall, foot to foot, under the windows. Later, they were placed with the foot of each bed against the wall, and it wasn't until 1821 that the head was placed in the conventional position, against the wall. Another feature, that could be reintroduced, for medicinal purposes only, was the brew-house which supplied three pints daily to each patient. Water was likely to be contaminated, so the supply of beer was usual in workhouses and hospitals, and would also supply the patient with much needed carbohydrates and vitamin B.
After the Duke and Duchess of York visited the hospital in 1899, the hospital was given permission to add Royal to its title, becoming the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Many medical improvements were introduced in the early 20th Century, especially radiography (x-rays) and improved anaesthesia. It wasn't until 1928 that the first Maternity Department was partly completed.
The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital escaped damage in the Exeter blitz and on 24th August 1948 the last board meeting was held before the hospital became part of the newly formed NHS. The buildings of the RD&E were becoming inadequate for a modern health service and in 1974, the hospital moved to a new, purpose built facility on the Heavitree cricket field at Wonford.
Since 1974 it been used by the Exeter Health trust until June 2007. Now it is earmaked for redevelopment as a mixed site including residential accommodation, a hotel and office premises. The planning process is expected to take 12 to 18 months and, due to the grade II* listing status, this will involve English Heritage.
Overview of the site
We managed to get in to the Halford, Victoria and Dean Clarke and heres the pics
Front view of Victoria Wing
Halford Wing Front
Trying to get panoramic view of site
Now for inside
Before As Exeter health Trust
As of now
Overlooking Southernhay
Ward in Dean Clarke Wing
Operations room ??
Roof above lift shaft
Another ward
Found these down in the basement prob part of the old chapel
Another corridoor with patient room off to the right
Great room this and the light fitting - nhs defo couldnt afford that now
Looking up throught the main stair well in Dean Clarke House
Nurses Desk
Another corridor shot
and finally a leaving shot
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