Extensions: Victoria Hospital, Blackpool

PROPOSED EXTENSIONS, BLACKPOOL VICTORIA HOSPITAL - An appeal is to be made to the public for £15,000 to carry out extensions to Victoria Hospital, Blackpool. Alderman Mather, J.P, offered his services as honorary architect; these were accepted, and he prepared the plans which are to be carried out. On the ground floor of the administrative block increased kitchen accommodation will be provided, together with scullery, larder, pantry, receiving ward, nurses’ and servants’ dining rooms adjacent thereto. At the rear of the kitchen, it is proposed to construct a more capacious laundry, stores, and linen rooms, and servants’ lavatories and conveniences. The proposed extensions to the male and female wards, which will be continuations of the existing wards in an easterly direction, provide for sixteen additional beds^ in each case, with lavatory and other accommodation. Connected on each side by corridors with these additional wards will be an anantbetic-room. entering upon an enlarged operating theatre, with dispensary and doctors' lavatory leading therefrom. The additions at the rear, under the proposed ward extensions, will comprise, under the male ward, an outdoor patients' department, and under the female ward male and female refractory wards. Under the laundry and operating theatre will be provided storage rooms for coals and wood, bath chairs, and. tools, and also heating apparatus. The outdoor patients’ department will contain a waiting-room, consultation-room, male and female examination wards, with conveniences in each case, eye-room, dispensary, and storeroom. There will be two isolation patients’ wards, one for each sex, and each containing six beds. Nurses’ kitchens and sitting rooms, with lavatory and other accommodation, will also be provided in connexion therewith. On. the first floor it is proposed to provide eight additional single bedrooms, and one bedroom for nurses, with bathroom and lavatory and boxroom. At the rear, over the laundry, will be the ironing-room connected with the laundry by an independent staircase, and lifts for linen. The attic floor will be devoted to accommodation for night and private nurses. [Builder 21 March 1903 page 315]

The laying of the corner stone of the extensions at the Victoria Hospital takes place on Saturday afternoon, by the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Mr. H. L. Storey, J.P., D.L. The silver trowel (presented by the honorary architect, Ald. R. B. Mather) and the mallet (presented by the contractors, Messrs. S. Butterworth and Sons) will be on view in the window of Mr. H. J. Kettlewell} corner of Church Street and Market Street. [Blackpool Times 1 June 1904 page 4]

THE VICTORIA HOSPITAL, BLACKPOOL. The Board of Management invite Tenders for ADDITIONS and EXTENSIONS to the VICTORIA HOSPITAL. in Whitegate Drive, in accordance with planswhich can be seen, and bills of quantities which can be obtained on application to the undersigned on and after Tuesday. the 13th February instant. on deposit of £1 1s. which willI be repaid on receipt of a bona-fide tender. Sealed tenders endorsed "Hospital Extensions." to be addressed to the undersigned and delivered not later than Tuesday 6 March 1906. The work is divided into three separate portions, one comprising the additions to the central or administrative block, another including the extensions to the south or female ward, and another the drainage of the building, each portion being complete in itself. The Board do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender nor to defray any expense in connection with the tendering. The Board will accept tenders only from contractors carrying on business within 20 miles from Blackpool. R. B. MATHER, 34. Birley Street. Honorary Architect. 12 February 1906. [Lancashire Evening Post 15 February 1906 page 6 – contracts]

Reference    Builder 21 March 1903 page 315
Reference    Blackpool Times 1 June 1904 page 4
Reference    Lancashire Evening Post 15 February 1906 page 6 – contracts