Accident and Out-Patients Department: Ancoats Hospital

The Committee of Management of the Ancoats Hospital have decided to accept the tender of Messrs Wilson and Toft, of this city for the erection of a new out-patient department and accident rooms with separate dressing rooms attached, at a cost of £5,990. The drawings and specifications have been prepared by Mr W Cecil Hardisty, architect. [Manchester Guardian8 October 1898 page 5]

ANCOATS HOSPITAL, THE NEW OUT-PATIENTS’ DEPARTMENT -  The new accommodation provided comprises a large waiting hall for patients, in connection with which are six male and female accident rooms, each with a dressing room attached; three doctors’ consulting rooms, with dressing rooms adjoining, and a bathroom. At the end of the waiting hall nearest the entrance are the registrar’s and attendants’ offices, and at the end adjoining the main building is a commodious and well equipped dispensary. The waiting hall, which occupies the centre portion of the building, is well lighted from above the flat roofs of the accident and consulting rooms, which are arranged on either side. This will enable additional ward accommodation being provided in the future, should occasion demand, without any disturbance of the present building. Though the exterior of the building has been somewhat plainly treated, no effort has been spare to finish the interior in a manner consistent with its requirements and to make it artistically pleasing. The whole of the rooms are tiled from floor to ceiling – the waiting hall is particularly rich in colour – and the door and window architraves are executed in glazed faience-ware of a sage green colour, which blends well with the rich crimson dado and the cream-tinted tiling of the wall surface. The joiners’ work is of mahogany, and the floors are finished in marble mosaic. On a white marble tablet in the central hall is the inscription “This outpatients department was erected A D 1899 to the memory of the late James Oliver, treasurer of the Hospital from 1882 to 1898 by his children.” The work has been carried out in accordance with plans prepared by Mr W C Hardisty, architect of this city. [Manchester Guardian 25 July 1900, page 10].

Reference    Builder 1 October 1898. Page 310 (Tenders)
Reference    Building News 30 September 1898 Page xvi
Reference    British Architect 27 July 1900 page 70
Reference    Manchester Guardian8 October 1898 page 5
Reference    Manchester Guardian 25 July 1900, page 10