Walkergate Hospital was built in 1888 originally as a hospital for Infectious Diseases. These could be anything from Scarlet Fever to Diptheria, Typhoid to Tuberculosis and later on Polio. During World War 1, injured soldiers that were sent home were housed in two pavilions that were constructed on the East side of the site. Built only as a temporary measure, they were still in use until their demolition in 1979. In the Second World War, the hospital was bombed By 1986, the hospital was contracted to 192, had an ENT Department , Xray Department and a small Theatre. In the latter years, the hospital was mainly used for elderly care and rehabilitation, with major operations being carried out in the RVI, the main hospital in Newcastle. Various parts of the hospital closed down over the years and in March 2011, it was announced that the two remaining wards would shut for the final time in Summer 2011.
Today the building still stands strong, with the odd bits of equipment left behind and alot of paperwor/plans. It was disappointing to find some doors had been nail shut/boarded up or locked as these lead to other areas of the hospital but overall it was a good explore. Pipes and electrics have been lifted and removed and some copper and lead has been stolen, but i can't remember coming across one bit of graffiti.
Heading out of the grounds, we were approached by security who was interested in our visit but he was ok and happened to tell us abit of the history of the place and plans for the future of the buildings.
Although in any history i can find, it says,as above, that the hospital was originally for infectious diseases, however, the security guard said it was used as a mental asylum went it first opened, not sure on how true this actually is. As for the future of the place, it is planned to be flattened, but due to asbestos theres no plans for this happening anytime soon.
Time for some pictures i think.
Today the building still stands strong, with the odd bits of equipment left behind and alot of paperwor/plans. It was disappointing to find some doors had been nail shut/boarded up or locked as these lead to other areas of the hospital but overall it was a good explore. Pipes and electrics have been lifted and removed and some copper and lead has been stolen, but i can't remember coming across one bit of graffiti.
Heading out of the grounds, we were approached by security who was interested in our visit but he was ok and happened to tell us abit of the history of the place and plans for the future of the buildings.
Although in any history i can find, it says,as above, that the hospital was originally for infectious diseases, however, the security guard said it was used as a mental asylum went it first opened, not sure on how true this actually is. As for the future of the place, it is planned to be flattened, but due to asbestos theres no plans for this happening anytime soon.
Time for some pictures i think.
