Mountain Ash Hospital, South Wales - February 2016

These original cottage hospitals that served our communities, many started by the local miners sacrificing a percentage of pay, are disappearing. They are being replaced by 'super' hospitals - that appear to be designed in preparation for the NHS to be privatised (a cynical view? We'll see....!). My gripe is that these are beautiful buildings, that are loved and mean so much to the communities where they stand / stood - where generations of families have experienced the joy of a birth, health support and loss of loved ones. In my area alone (in the last 4 years) three of these General hospitals have closed, two of them quickly demolished ignoring the community outcry. The remaining hospital is photographed below. Why not consider saving these buildings that have such sentimental and historic local meaning (if it is not too late!) - make them into community centres for everyone to enjoy, including the youth of the area? Because the ironic thing is that these are the youngsters (with nothing productive to do in the area) that go and smash holy hell into these buildings and contents...... and ruin my photos when I eventually visit!!! A cheap joke there I know ... but as these buildings are now fading from memory, websites like this are so important in capturing their final days.


HISTORY
Mountain Ash Cottage Hospital was first established in 1910, and later become the General Hospital for the area in 1928. It closed in 2012.

Hope you enjoy my photos......













































































Thanks for taking the time to look!

What a fantastic write up and so true what you are saying, I couldn't agree with you more, also great collection of pictures, you've really captured the place in its final moments. Thanks Rod

That looks like a good place for a mooch, great pics and write up

Very nice, thank you for taking the time to post.

Jon6D said:

What a fantastic write up and so true what you are saying, I couldn't agree with you more, also great collection of pictures, you've really captured the place in its final moments. Thanks Rod

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Thank you Jon - as we were there together that day you must've been having similar thoughts? I fear it won't be long until this place is demolished like the others.

You made a lovely job a that VR, the shot looking down the stairs through the archway to what appears to be an exit was my favourite of a great set, Thanks

Lovley write up although i never think the nhs will be privatised - any party that attempted it would be commiting political suicide.
I love how nature is reclaiming the buildings .

krela said:

Very nice, thank you for taking the time to post.

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Thank you krela. Sorry if it's too many pics - will be more ruthless in future! Take so many while visiting these sites it feels like a nightmare reducing them for a the report!!! Thanks again

tazong said:

Lovley write up although i never think the nhs will be privatised - any party that attempted it would be commiting political suicide.
I love how nature is reclaiming the buildings .

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Thank you Tazong - appreciate that! But as for the privatisation attempt, like I said "we'll see!". But yes, nature has a habit of reclaiming these buildings - so sad but fascinating to see. Thanks again buddy

Vertigo Rod said:

Thank you krela. Sorry if it's too many pics - will be more ruthless in future! Take so many while visiting these sites it feels like a nightmare reducing them for at the report!!! Thanks again

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Don't worry about it too much.

smiler said:

You made a lovely job a that VR, the shot looking down the stairs through the archway to what appears to be an exit was my favourite of a great set, Thanks

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Thank you smiler - that was one of my faves too! Cheers, buddy

That's one helluva comprehensive report there. Top-notch stuff and fully meriting the number of pix...

HughieD said:

That's one helluva comprehensive report there. Top-notch stuff and fully meriting the number of pix...

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Thank you so much HughieD - really appreciate that comment. Glad you enjoyed

I don't usually look at hospital posts(painful memories of childhood)but was intrigued by so many replies in such a short space of time.Loved the write up and the great photos,a shame places like this don't get the respect they deserve,especially amongst the young of the community some of whome were probably born there.

oldscrote said:

I don't usually look at hospital posts(painful memories of childhood)but was intrigued by so many replies in such a short space of time.Loved the write up and the great photos,a shame places like this don't get the respect they deserve,especially amongst the young of the community some of whome were probably born there.

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Thank you looking when you wouldn't normally at this type of post, I really appreciate that - and am glad you enjoyed & agree with the write up / rant! Yes, it is such a shame these old places are being destroyed and vanishing at a rapid rate. I feel it makes what we are all doing here so important and gives us a huge purpose to continue on our mission! Thanks again for your kind comment

Excellent Rod, great pictures - I know the feeling about having to cull some

Very nice set there rod..I really like the look of this place..great report and pics mate

Thats got the look of a hospital thats been closed 20 years not 4!

First class write up and images.Thank you.

This is brilliant. I really enjoyed reading your report, great pictures also