Former Ashworth Hospital - Merseyside- (July 09.) 2013

[Wherever I may Roam]

Ashworth Hospital is a high security psychiatric hospital at Maghull in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England.

Ashworth is one of only three high-security specialist psychiatric hospitals in England and Wales, along with Rampton and Broadmoor, that exist to work with people who require treatment due to their "dangerous, violent or criminal propensities". Ashworth was formed from the merger of the old Moss Side Hospital (originally a learning-disability unit once used for the treatment of "shell shock" in World War I) and the vastly more modern and considerably more appropriate Park Lane Hospital, opened as a Broadmoor overspill unit in the early 1970s.

The hospital has had a mixed history and has been the subject of two major public inquiries: Blom-Cooper in 1992 and Fallon in 1998. It currently houses some 275 male patients.

The old East site of the hospital has been leased to Her Majesty's Prison Service, and is now the location of HMP Kennet.

thanks..

 

[Lara]

Nice bit of peely paint there, and looks an interesting splore does that. Thanks for the share

 

[skeleton key]

I bet this place has housed some complete nutters in its time and makes you wonder what went on in such a place.

Good to see and thanks for the share



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[TheBaronof Scotland]

thanks for the share, iirc Park Lane was criminally insane (moors murderer) and Moss Side was for the insane.

Is this the site with the pond in it ?

 

[Canonfodder]

Oh wow I wish I'd known this place was closed down. I worked here for 3 years when I was 21. Yes Mr Skeleton Key it was a scary place and when the panic alarm went off you never knew what situation you were going to face. I could tell you lots of stories - but certainly not in public - perhaps one day over a pint after an explore. As for its purpose I'm sorry to correct you Baron of Scotland - Moss side was for what was then known as "mentally handicapped" (now referred to as "learning disabilities") while Park Lane was for the mentally il. Both housed serious and dangerous criminals - what we now call "offenders".

Great shots and brought back lots of scary moments. Nurse, NUrse, NURSE!!!

 

[TheBaronof Scotland]

as the man with the orthopedic shoe said "I stand corrected"

cheers for the update Canonfodder, appreciated.

 

[Canonfodder]

No worries - this place was as bad as American Horror 2nd series - I shudder when I think back - and that was just the staff!!!

 

[Wevsky]

Nice one mate some interesting bits and bobs left behind

 

[Stussy]

Interesting place, would've been good to see it all those years ago.

 

[rossfergie]

Mr Skeleton Key, like Mr Canonfodder I too worked at former Moss Side Hospital/Ashworth Hospital. I have been retired from there for 4 years now after 34 years of service and yes it was a very interesting place to work in and definitely not for the faint-hearted. It was quite sad for me to see the place in such a sorry state. I have quite a lot of photographs taken just prior to the demolition when all the foliage had been removed from around the buildings and some during the demolition. the place has an amazing history that is worth looking up, especially it's role during WW1 and the pioneering work carried out into 'Shellshock' that we know today as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.       

Mr Skeleton Key, like Mr Canonfodder I too worked at former Moss Side Hospital/Ashworth Hospital. I have been retired from there for 4 years now after 34 years of service and yes it was a very interesting place to work in and definitely not for the faint-hearted. It was quite sad for me to see the place in such a sorry state. I have quite a lot of photographs taken just prior to the demolition when all the foliage had been removed from around the buildings and some during the demolition. the place has an amazing history that is worth looking up, especially it's role during WW1 and the pioneering work carried out into 'Shellshock' that we know today as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.       

Anyone who has worked in this place and says they weren't scared is lying!

 

[Dubbed Navigator]

Great to see people who were personally involved with the place. Any pictures you have are quite welcome

 

[ASOM]

Mr Skeleton Key, like Mr Canonfodder I too worked at former Moss Side Hospital/Ashworth Hospital. I have been retired from there for 4 years now after 34 years of service and yes it was a very interesting place to work in and definitely not for the faint-hearted. It was quite sad for me to see the place in such a sorry state. I have quite a lot of photographs taken just prior to the demolition when all the foliage had been removed from around the buildings and some during the demolition. the place has an amazing history that is worth looking up, especially it's role during WW1 and the pioneering work carried out into 'Shellshock' that we know today as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.       

Anyone who has worked in this place and says they weren't scared is lying!

Reckon you could let us use any of those for the County Asylums website? Would be very interested to see them either way. (www.countyasylums.co.uk)

 

[rossfergie]

Hi ASOM.

I am going to a meeting tomorrow morning with the local council and some former colleagues, one of whom provided me with the photographs I mentioned. 

I will ask his permission for me to send some of them to you. We are trying to get a permanent memorial erected to the former Moss Side Hospital (AKA Ashworth) highlighting its role in the treatment of WW1 soldiers, not only it's influence worldwide but the significant role for the local community.   Feel free to use the images I have attached to this reply, they explain a little about what we are trying to do and why. Ok, I've just tried to load the newspaper photos from our campaign but they are too large according to this website! Any suggestions?

Kind Regards

rossfergie

 

[Dubbed Navigator]

Hi ASOM.

I am going to a meeting tomorrow morning with the local council and some former colleagues, one of whom provided me with the photographs I mentioned. 

I will ask his permission for me to send some of them to you. We are trying to get a permanent memorial erected to the former Moss Side Hospital (AKA Ashworth) highlighting its role in the treatment of WW1 soldiers, not only it's influence worldwide but the significant role for the local community.   Feel free to use the images I have attached to this reply, they explain a little about what we are trying to do and why. Ok, I've just tried to load the newspaper photos from our campaign but they are too large according to this website! Any suggestions?

Kind Regards

rossfergie

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Great addtion to the thread