Stockport Convalescent Hospital

[Blue-Sten]

On RG12/2806, I have a relative called Albert Edward Grainger.  He is 20 years old and is a patient at Stockport Convalescent Hospital.

Does anyone know what kind of place this was and why he would've been in here?

Thanks

[sallysmum]

This appears to be Barnes Hospital in Gatley.  There is a little piece about it here

http://www.cheadlehulme.net/village/chtopics.htm

I'm not sure if it is now a private hospital or whether it is still covered by Stepping Hill Hospital on the other side of Stockport.  I don't know the history of the hospital so not sure why your rellie would have been recovering there.

Sallysmum

PS Stockport is Cheshire, not Lancashire!

[bursy]

Hi Blue-Sten
In 1869 Robert Barnes, a cotton manufacturer, donated £10,000 to the Manchester Infirmary with the intention of it being used to support a new convalescent hospital at Gatley.
The new hospital was named the Barnes Convalescent Hospital in his honour
The foundation stone was laid 29 July 1871.
The building was completed in 1875 and closed 2002
In WW2 it was used as a convalescent home for wounded soldiers and in later years it cared for Geriatric and Stroke patients
The hospital became a Grade 2 listed building in Nov 1999
The building is currently being converted to luxury flats

Hope this helps
Regards, Dave

[Mair]

Hi Blue-Sten

A more detailed transcribed history of Barnes Convalescent Hospital can be found at
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/isil.telemnar/Doublexposure/history_barnes.htm

It would appear that the original intention was recuperation after illness had been initially treated at Manchester Infirmary.  As protocols changed the uses for the hospital changed with them.

Google the hospital's name and add "postcards" and yes there are a couple!

Jude