THE ROYAL HOSPITAL, RICHMOND, RECORDS

Records relating to named patients are closed to public inspection for 100 years

Received in two deposits under the 1958 Public Records Act. The first was deposited at Richmond Local Studies Library by the administrators of the hospital in 1987 and was transferred to Surrey Record Office in July 1989. The second was deposited at the Surrey History Centre by the Site Manager, Richmond Community Mental Health Resource Centre (formerly The Royal Hospital), Kew Foot Road, Richmond, in November 2000.

In 1864 a committee was set up to consider the possibility of establishing an infirmary in Richmond. Several sites were considered, one in St John's Grove being strongly opposed by local residents (ref: 3667/3/1). Finally the premises known as Rosedale in Kewfoot Lane were accepted, at a rent of £100 a year. The Richmond Infirmary was opened in February 1868 for the treatment of accidents, surgical diseases and acute medical cases. It was a voluntary hospital, being funded by donors and annual subscribers, lists of whom may be found in the annual reports (ref: 3667/1/1-19) and in 3667/4/1.

In 1873 the Duchess of Cambridge became the first Royal Patron. In 1895 the Queen became Patron and the hospital was thereafter called The Royal Hospital, Richmond. In 1933 the hospital was incorporated and in 1948, on the creation of the National Health Service, it became part of the Kingston Group of hospitals and its management taken over by the Kingston Group Hospital Management Committee (1948-1967) and thereafter by the Kingston and Long Grove Group HMC (1967-1974). After 1974 it fell within Kingston and Richmond District.

Two new wards, the Cambridge and the Mary Adelaide having been added in 1892, the hospital continued to expand in the twentieth century. In 1959 there were 121 beds. Expansion ceased in the 1960s and closure was threatened in 1982. The hospital continued for several more years, but only for out-patient treatment. The building is now the Richmond Community Mental Health Resource Centre.