Visited recently with a couple of mates after a quick look around the asylum. Enjoyed it apart from just as we were leaving there was a loud banging on one of the windows from inside, dunno who it was didnt see anybody.
In 1953 Orchard House, which opened in 1939 as an admissions Unit, was in fact a separate hospital. In contrast to the custodial approach of the main hospital it was run as an open hospital. The patients were primarily referred from out patient clinics and were classified as voluntary patients. They wore their own cloths, went home at weekends and were encouraged to organize their own entertainment. Doors were not locked except at night. Male and female patients mixed freely as far as the old fashioned layout of the wards would allow. Physical treatments such as ECT, modified insulin therapy and deep insulin coma therapy were practiced. The main emphasis, however, was on the treatment of depressions, neurosis, sexual problems, alcoholism and drug independence. To this end techniques such as abreacttive therapy using intravenous and general anesthetics, individual and group psychotherapy, psycho-drama and hypno-analysis were used. With the introduction of new drug treatment the distinction between the clientele of the main hospital and Orchard House became less noticeable. Patients suffering from acute schizophrenic and manic-depressive illnesses rapidly responded to the new drugs available (e.g. phenothiazenes and lithium carbonate)
The policy of closure of the mental hospitals and the emphasis on Community Care meant that as Rauceby Hospital followed the schedule laid down for its own closure Orchard House became surplus to requirements. Subsequently in 1987 it was handed over to the Area Health Authority to provide a centre for clerical and community use thus ending fifty years of service to the mentally sick. Until its finally closure in 2011....
Right a few pics....
Thanks for looking....
In 1953 Orchard House, which opened in 1939 as an admissions Unit, was in fact a separate hospital. In contrast to the custodial approach of the main hospital it was run as an open hospital. The patients were primarily referred from out patient clinics and were classified as voluntary patients. They wore their own cloths, went home at weekends and were encouraged to organize their own entertainment. Doors were not locked except at night. Male and female patients mixed freely as far as the old fashioned layout of the wards would allow. Physical treatments such as ECT, modified insulin therapy and deep insulin coma therapy were practiced. The main emphasis, however, was on the treatment of depressions, neurosis, sexual problems, alcoholism and drug independence. To this end techniques such as abreacttive therapy using intravenous and general anesthetics, individual and group psychotherapy, psycho-drama and hypno-analysis were used. With the introduction of new drug treatment the distinction between the clientele of the main hospital and Orchard House became less noticeable. Patients suffering from acute schizophrenic and manic-depressive illnesses rapidly responded to the new drugs available (e.g. phenothiazenes and lithium carbonate)
The policy of closure of the mental hospitals and the emphasis on Community Care meant that as Rauceby Hospital followed the schedule laid down for its own closure Orchard House became surplus to requirements. Subsequently in 1987 it was handed over to the Area Health Authority to provide a centre for clerical and community use thus ending fifty years of service to the mentally sick. Until its finally closure in 2011....
Right a few pics....
Thanks for looking....
