Brookwood Hospital

Brookwood Hospital was a psychiatric hospital located in Woking, Surrey, England. Originally opened in 1867, it was one of the first purpose-built psychiatric hospitals in the country, designed to accommodate patients from London as part of the broader Victorian era initiative to reform the care of the mentally ill. The hospital was initially known as the Surrey County Lunatic Asylum and was later renamed Brookwood Hospital. It played a significant role in the development of psychiatric care through the 19th and 20th centuries until its closure in 1994.

History

The establishment of Brookwood Hospital was part of a wider movement in the 19th century towards the creation of specialized institutions for the care of the mentally ill, influenced by the Lunacy Act 1845 which mandated the construction of asylums in every county in England and Wales. The hospital was designed by architect Charles Henry Howell, who was responsible for several other asylums and public buildings of the period. Its design reflected the contemporary belief in the therapeutic value of well-designed buildings and landscaped surroundings for the treatment of mental illness.

Over the years, Brookwood Hospital expanded to accommodate the growing number of patients. Its facilities evolved with advancements in psychiatric care, moving away from the custodial care model to more therapeutic and patient-centered approaches. The hospital grounds included a farm, chapel, and cemetery, which were integral parts of the institution's self-sufficient community.

Closure and Legacy

By the late 20th century, the move towards community-based care for mental health patients and the deinstitutionalization movement led to the decline in the use of large psychiatric hospitals. Brookwood Hospital was closed in 1994 as part of this shift. Following its closure, the site underwent redevelopment, with many of the hospital buildings being demolished to make way for new housing. However, some parts of the original hospital, including the chapel and sections of the main building, have been preserved and repurposed.

The history of Brookwood Hospital reflects broader changes in the understanding and treatment of mental illness over more than a century. Its legacy is remembered in part through the preserved buildings and the records of its existence, which provide insight into the evolution of psychiatric care.

See Also

• History of psychiatric institutions
• Deinstitutionalization
• Mental health in the United Kingdom

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