Wigan Royal Infirmary.: Isolation Ward

INFIRMARY, WIGAN - The new isolation ward recently added to the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan, were opened recently. The new building forms a small separate hospital situated on the slope of the hill to the north-west of the old “Woods” ward, and accessible from the grounds by a broad drive, terraced up to the entrance door on the west side. The entrance hall gives access to the two ante-rooms which open into the male and female wards on either side. Each of these is 24 ft. by 22 ft., with a circular ceiling, forming a lofty room, well lighted on each wall, and providing space for four beds. The duty-room for the nurses is placed between the two wards with a window looking into each, and doors into the separate ante-rooms. At the other end of the wards the sanitary accommodation (baths, lavatories, etc) is arranged, the rooms being entered from a short corridor stretching across the building with a window at each end, separating them from the wards and preventing the risk of infection. From the entrance hall on the opposite side to the ante-room access is obtained to the ward kitchen and stores, passing the foot of the staircase to the upper floor, which extends above the hall and nurses’ room, and contains bedrooms for the nurses and servants, with bath, lavatory, etc. In the basement story, which reached from an outside entrance on the lower drive below the terrace, are placed the boiler and heating apparatus, warming the building and supplying steam and hot water. The building is constructed of brick and stonework, harmonising in appearance with the older buildings, and having slated roofs, crowned with turrets in which are fixed the ventilating cowls from the wards. Internally, with the exception of the sanitary annexes, which are lined with glazed brickwork, the walls and ceilings are finished in cement, and with the woodwork enamelled ivory white. Messrs. Thomas Worthington & Son, Manchester, were the architects, and the work has been carried out by Mr C. B. Holmes, of Wigan, under their supervision. Messrs. Newton, Chambers, & Co., Manchester, were the hot water engineers.  [Builder 15 March 1902 page 272]

Reference     Builder 15 March 1902 page 272