Thomas Brushfield's Patient Case Studies at Fountain Hospital
TitleThomas Brushfield's Patient Case Studies at Fountain Hospital
ReferenceMS0242
Level of descriptionfonds
Date1914-1927
Admin./ biographical historyA new hospital was built in Tooting by the Metropolitan Asylums Board after a resurgence of Scarlet Fever in 1893. This was the 400 bed Fountain Fever Hospital, designed by Thomas W Aldwinckle, and was built in nine weeks.
Most of the buildings were single-storey structures with timber frames, covered with boarding, felt and corrugated iron. On the inside, the walls were lined with boarding and asbestos on plaster. A porter's lodge stood at the west of the site at the entrance on Tooting Grove. It contained a gate office, waiting room, and lavatory, with discharging rooms and bathrooms to the rear. There were separate entrances at each side — the 'infected' one leading to the receiving wards, and the 'non-infected' one leading to the administration buildings and stores.
There were eight ward blocks, arranged in two rows of four, and all linked by a central covered way. Each block contained 24 beds, plus a scullery, attendant's bedroom and staff WC, linen room, and patients' bathroom. Two further isolation blocks were situated at the north-west edge of the site. The 'temporary' ward blocks were still in use in 1930. There was also accommodation for nursing staff, domestic staff and male servants, as well as workshops and a mortuary.
In 1911/1912, the hospital was redesignated as a mental hospital and became used for the accommodation of the lowest grade of severely subnormal children, becoming the Fountain Mental Hospital. In 1930, the administration of the hospital passed to the London County Council who retained it as a hospital for mentally defective children.
From 1948 the hospital was known as the Fountain Hospital. It was demolished in 1963 and the site is now occupied by the St George's Hospital.
[Sources: The Hospital Records database at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/?source=ddmenu_search2 and some webpages on the Metropolitan Asylums Board by Peter Higginbotham at http://users.ox.ac.uk/~peter/workhouse/MAB-Fountain/MAB-Fountain.shtml, accessed on 18th July 2005.]
Most of the buildings were single-storey structures with timber frames, covered with boarding, felt and corrugated iron. On the inside, the walls were lined with boarding and asbestos on plaster. A porter's lodge stood at the west of the site at the entrance on Tooting Grove. It contained a gate office, waiting room, and lavatory, with discharging rooms and bathrooms to the rear. There were separate entrances at each side — the 'infected' one leading to the receiving wards, and the 'non-infected' one leading to the administration buildings and stores.
There were eight ward blocks, arranged in two rows of four, and all linked by a central covered way. Each block contained 24 beds, plus a scullery, attendant's bedroom and staff WC, linen room, and patients' bathroom. Two further isolation blocks were situated at the north-west edge of the site. The 'temporary' ward blocks were still in use in 1930. There was also accommodation for nursing staff, domestic staff and male servants, as well as workshops and a mortuary.
In 1911/1912, the hospital was redesignated as a mental hospital and became used for the accommodation of the lowest grade of severely subnormal children, becoming the Fountain Mental Hospital. In 1930, the administration of the hospital passed to the London County Council who retained it as a hospital for mentally defective children.
From 1948 the hospital was known as the Fountain Hospital. It was demolished in 1963 and the site is now occupied by the St George's Hospital.
[Sources: The Hospital Records database at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/?source=ddmenu_search2 and some webpages on the Metropolitan Asylums Board by Peter Higginbotham at http://users.ox.ac.uk/~peter/workhouse/MAB-Fountain/MAB-Fountain.shtml, accessed on 18th July 2005.]
Scope and ContentThe collection contains case histories of patients at the Fountain Mental Hospital including photographs and notes on condition and improvements; photographs of the building, staff and patients, and glass slides usually of patients; materials relating to the donation of the collection and the sub-committee of mental deficiency; periodicals, reprints and excerpts collected by Thomas Brushfield.
These records are less than 100 years old and contain patient identifiable data. Access to them is restricted until 2027 and researchers wishing to consult them must fill out a Patient Records Application Form to request permission to do so.
These records are less than 100 years old and contain patient identifiable data. Access to them is restricted until 2027 and researchers wishing to consult them must fill out a Patient Records Application Form to request permission to do so.
Extent17 Boxes
LanguageEnglish
System of arrangementThe collection is divided into three groups. 1) Cases, 2) Photograph Albums and Glass Slide, and 3) Donation Information and Excerpts and Reprints.
Conditions governing accessThis collection contains medical information about identifiable patients who may still be living. General access is restricted until 1 January 2028 under the Data Protection Act 2018. For details of how to request access please email archives@rcseng.ac.uk
NotesPublic Records
Closed until2028
