Proposed Infectious Diseases and Smallpox Hospital, Ainsworth

It was proposed to build two hospitals on a 50-acre site at Ainsworth. The smallpox hospital was to contain 32 beds and bedrooms for eight nurses, dining room etc while the isolation hospital was to have 56 beds, bedrooms for eleven nurses etc. The estimated cost of the buildings was £33,164

Infectious Hospitals for Radcliffe and District, Lancashire - Mr. S. W. Wheaton, an inspector of the Local Government Board, held an inquiry at the Assize Courts, Manchester, on the 9th inst., into an application made by the Lancashire County Council for sanction to the borrowing of £40,000. for the provision by the Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, Whitefield, and Bury Joint Isolation Hospital Committee of an infectious diseases hospital and a smallpox hospital on land at Ainsworth. Dr. Sergeant, Medical Officer to the County Council, said it was proposed to erect two hospitals on one site at Ainsworth. The site was about fifty acres in extent. There would be fifty-six beds in the infectious diseases hospital and thirty-two in the smallpox hospital. Mr. H. Lord, architect, of Manchester, said the estimated cost was £34,164, the amount allowed for contingencies was £3.416, architect’s charge (which included clerk of works), £2,420, making a total of £40,000. There would be bedrooms for eleven nurses in the infectious diseases hospital, and eight bedrooms for nurses in the smallpox hospital, with dining-room, etc., and offices. There was no opposition to the scheme. [Builder 20 July 1901 Page 63]

MR. GARNETT, J.P.  TO OPEN AINSWORTH SMALLPOX HOSPITAL - As chairman of the District Joint Hospital Board, Councillor Gurnett. J.P., Ramsbottom, will perform the principal ceremony in connection with opening of the Ainsworth smallpox hospital on Wednesday afternoon. …. The buildings are comprised of six blocks, and have been erected on plans prepared Mr. Henry Lord, Deansgate, Manchester, the architect of Salf0ord Technical School and Safford Royal Hospital. The institution will meet the needs of the Board's administrative area, Bury, Ramsbottom, Radcliffe, Whitefield, Tottington and Bury Rural, while under the provision of a special arrangement —the payment of a retaining fee and cost of maintenance of patients—cases from Bolton, Farnworth, Little Lever and Turton. will be accommodated. Forty beds are to be provided. [Ramsbottom Observer - Friday 21 September 1906 page 5]

Reference    Builder 20 July 1901 Page 63
Reference    Ramsbottom Observer - Friday 21 September 1906 page 5