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pavilions have been planned for patients suffering from tuberculosis
and infectious diseases.
Units for quiet and employable patients of both sexes are
placed east and west respectively of the administrative buildings,
giving ample room for exercise and recreation. Parole units are
placed in close proximity to the workshops, kitchen garden,
farm, etc.
Boundary House—in a detached position to the extreme
west and some distance away—accommodates patients suffering
from the more severe forms of mental disorder. This is arranged
to permit of some classification into groups, and the whole building
is designed and equipped to dispel any idea of a "refractory
block." A chapel, nurses' home, chief officers' residences, and
cottages with farm buildings, complete the hospital.
It is the intention to employ female nurses in a number of
male wards, particularly the Admission, Nerve, Convalescent,
Sick and Infirm units.
Runwell Mental Hospital was opened by the Rt. Hon. Sir
Kingsley Wood, M.P., Minister of Health, on June 14th, 1937, in
the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of East Ham (Alderman
J. W. Barton, J.P., and Mrs. Barton) and the Mayor and Mayoress
of Southend-on-Sea (Alderman Wm. Miles, O.B.E., J.P., and
Mrs. Miles). Councillor H. B. Harper, J.P., Chairman of the Joint
Hospital Committee since its inception, presided, supported by
members of the Joint Committee and by Dr. R. Strom-Olsen,
Physician-Superintendent.