Cradle of health.

EARLIER this year we had a look back at Middlesbrough's North Riding Infirmary, which has since disappeared with the site now home to a supermarket.

Today we turn our attentions across town to North Ormesby Hospital which was finally demolished with hardly a murmur of protest in March 1982 after serving the community for over 120 years.

The history of North Ormesby Hospital began 150 years ago in 1859, a full 10 years before the Evening Gazette was founded.

In those days accidents in the iron works were frequent but there was no adequate medical care available for the workers in Middlesbrough. The nearest infirmary at the time was 40 miles away in Newcastle.

And it was clear that the sufferings of accident victims would be prolonged unless they received immediate medical attention.

One man decided to take action -John Jordison, a printer from Middlesbrough.

He contacted a nurse, sister Mary Jacques, who had been trained at the same place as Florence Nightingale.

Between them John and Mary established a small hospital at Dundas Mews in Middlesbrough.

However, it was soon clear there was not enough room for the patients, and so larger premises were planned.

The foundation stone of North Ormesby Hospital was laid in July 1860 with the building officially opened on May 23, 1861, to cater for 20 patients. The site at Westbourne Grove in North Ormesby was gradually extended over the years as the town of Middlesbrough grew.

And by the end of the century it could accommodate 90 beds.

More additions and extensions followed over the years creating a large sprawling building which was in good financial shape when the National Health Service came into being in 1948.

North Ormesby Hospital served the people of Middlesbrough for more than a century but with the building of the new South Cleveland Hospital during the 1970s, the old hospital had really had its day.

The decision to shut the hospital was announced in March 1981 and it finally closed its doors six months later.

There were some readers' letters wondering what would happen to the old building, but preservation did not appear to be on the public's agenda.

So on March 16, 1982, the bulldozers moved in and another piece of Middlesbrough history was reduced to rubble.

New flats were built on the site of North Ormesby Hospital and its passing seems to have been unlamented.

Many people considered it to be an ugly building, because of the many extensions in different architectural styles giving it an untidy appearance. Nevertheless 150 years ago this year North Ormesby Hospital was born and it has become part of the history of Middlesbrough.

Whether we loved it or loathed it, we should not forget that this was where hospital care in Middlesbrough first began.

For a more detailed history and lots more pictures of North Ormesby Hospital visit gazettelive.co.uk/rememberwhen

CAPTION(S):

FOUNDER: Sister Mary Jacques