Friern Hospital

Friern Hospital, New Southgate (formerly Colney Hatch Asylum) was normally used as a mental hospital, but on the outbreak of the Second World War 900 beds were set aside for the treatment of civilian war casualties. The City of London Maternity Hospital occupied part of the hospital after its own premises in Finsbury were severely damaged by bombing in September 1940 until the end of March 1941 when these beds were required for air-raid casualties. The records of both the City of London Maternity Hospital (reference H10) and Friern Hospital have been deposited in the Greater London Record Office. Friern Hospital was administered by the London County Council from 1889 to 1948. (See the minutes and presented papers of the Asylums Committee).