East Ham and Southend-on-Sea Boroughs Joint Mental Hospital

Runwell Hospital

Date founded: 20th June 1934

Date opened: Officially 14th June 1937, although first patients were admitted 21st May 1936

Date closed: Currently in use, closure proposed for 2008

Location: Runwell Chase, Runwell, near Wickford, Essex

Architect: Charles Ernest Elcock and Frederick Sutcliffe, of London

Layout: Colony Plan

Date of images: May 2004

Historical and development summary:

Following the ending of contracts accomodating patients at the Essex county's Brentwood mental hospital, joint facilities were developed between East Ham and Southend-on-sea boroughs. A site was chosen at Runwell Hall farm, to the east of the town of Wickford and the firm of Elcock and Sutcliffe were chosen as architects to the site, the former having previously designed the new Bethlem Royal hospital at Monks orchard. Elcock and Sutcliffe were at the forefront of institutional design and when completed, Runwell was seen as being pioneering development in mental hospital compared to it's contemporaries.

The hospital was divided into specific zones according to purpose and type of patient. Staff housing was located close to or outside of the main entrance, with the most senior residences and nurse's home located on the main drive. The chapel, dedicated to St. Luke was placed at the principal junction at the top of the drive - to its east lay admission, research, treatment convalescence and neurosis blocks. The main buildings were laid out to the west comprising of villas for working patients, and pavilions for the infirm, administrative buildings, recreation hall, kitchens and stores blocks providing segregation of male and female blocks. Workshops were provided on either side for the employment of capable patients. To the rear a combined power house and water tower provided a central focal point, with the laundry constructed on the female side. Parole villas were built at the northermost areas behind the main ranges, providing a degree of freedom to suitable occupants. A large sick hospital was provided directly opposite the administrative block, combining wards for physically sick patients, those with tuberculosis, an operating theatre and staff sick bay. Finally, farthest west, boundary house, a large block for disruptive chronic patients was built, providing two male wards, four female wards and a separate dining hall. The former farm was relocated to the north of the main site.

Unlike others of it's kind, Runwell utilised names for all villas and wards from the start, instead of numbers and letters used elsewhere until the 1960's and 70's, giving each structure a more homely identity. White with grey brick banding, rendering and variation between flat and pitched rooves were used to identify buildings and prevent a bland functional appearance overall by providing variety.

Following World War II, Runwell came under the control of the National health service who continued pioneering research work at the hospital. New developments included the Strom Olsen ward, adjacent to the female admission unit, and named after the former Superintendent and a combined occupational therapy and research laboratory block. Investigations under Professor Corsellis led to the development of a 'brain bank', the largest of it's kind and instrumental in researching changes to the brain in mental illness and subnormality.

Under sectorisation and realignment of catchment areas, Runwell's historical role in providing for East Ham diminished and services were became concentrated on the south east essex area, resulting in strong links with mental health services at Southend municipal hospital, later Rochford hospital. With the threat of closure and development of care in the community, services were streamlined between Runwell and Rochford sites, the laboratories and peripheral buildings closing.

The majority of Rochford hospitals are currently located at Runwell, however this is temporary and allows the redevelopment of the Rochford site for new mental health facilities. On their completion all services will be relocated from Runwell hospital, allowing it to close.

Current Status

At present, the hospital remains partly in use for mental health services and these are located in refurbished and temporary buildings within the centre of the site. Boundary house, the parole villas, Occupational therapy/laboratory, admission hospital and surrounding villas, laundry and matron's house are all disused. The staff houses located to the west of the main entrance were demolished during 2004 in anticipation of redevelopment and a new bypass road to the east of the grounds has led to the demolition of the male neurosis villa. The hospital farm is now in private ownership. With full closure of the site projected it is anticipated that the hospital site will be redeveloped for housing, with the chapel, administration block and nurse's home being retained.

Related links:

Essex Record Office

South Essex NHS trust

TSO official documents - the Corsellis collection

Records held at:

Essex Record Office
Wharf Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 6YT

Telephone: 01245 244644
Fax: 01245 244655
e mail: ero.enquiry@essexcc.gov.uk

Link to Aerial Photograph

Link to Archive Images

	Main entrance from Runwell Chase
	Steward's residence - St. David's
	Later staff accomodation

	Superintendent's residence - Charter house

	Medical officer's apartment's - Penarth
	Medical officer's apartments - Chailey

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