Charing Cross Hospital facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charing Cross Hospital
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
The hospital in 2013
Location in London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
Geography
Location	Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London, England
Coordinates	51°29′14″N 0°13′10″W / 51.4871°N 0.2195°W / 51.4871; -0.2195
Organisation
Care system	National Health Service
Hospital type	Teaching
Affiliated university	Imperial College School of Medicine
Services
Emergency department	Yes
Beds	511
History
Founded	1818; 207 years ago (1818) (as the West London Infirmary, renamed Charing Cross in 1827)

Charing Cross Hospital is a big hospital in Hammersmith, London. It's a teaching hospital, which means it helps train new doctors and nurses. The hospital you see today opened in 1973.

But the hospital's story actually began much earlier, in 1818. It was first set up about five miles away, in central London. Today, Charing Cross Hospital is part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. It works closely with the Imperial College School of Medicine.

This hospital is very important for several reasons. It's a special center for brain and nerve surgery (called neurosurgery). It also helps people with a rare pregnancy condition. Plus, it has a special center for serious injuries in West London. The hospital has also been a leader in using CT scans to help patients.

You can find the West London Neuroscience Centre here. There's also a special unit called the Riverside Wing for day surgery. This means patients can have a procedure and go home the same day. The hospital also hosts the country's largest and oldest clinic for gender identity.

Discovering the Hospital's Past

How Charing Cross Hospital Began

Suffolk Street, Westminster, where the hospital started in 1818

Charing Cross Hospital in Agar Street, Westminster, its home from 1834 to 1973

In 1818, a doctor named Benjamin Golding had a dream. He wanted to create a place where poor people could get medical help. He opened the 'West London Infirmary and Dispensary' at 16 Suffolk Street in London.

The Duke of York and Albany agreed to support the hospital. Because of his support, it was then called the Royal West London Infirmary. Other members of the royal family also became supporters.

Growing Bigger and Changing Names

By 1821, the infirmary was treating almost 10,000 patients every year. It needed more space! So, it moved to a new spot at 28 Villiers Street. This new place was near a famous area called Charing Cross.

The infirmary had room for twelve beds. Soon, there were plans to start a medical school next to it. The Charing Cross Hospital Medical School began training doctors in 1822. In 1829, the University of London officially recognized the school.

In 1827, the hospital's name changed to 'Charing Cross Hospital'. This name was more fitting for its location. A famous architect, Decimus Burton, designed a new building. The foundation stone was laid in 1831 by the Duke of Sussex.

The first completed ward was named after Princess Victoria. She later became Queen Victoria. The main men's ward was named Golding Ward, after the hospital's founder. The new hospital building was finished in 1834. In October of that year, 22 medical students moved into the new building.

Challenges and Growth in the 1800s

The hospital and medical school kept growing. At one point, another university wanted Charing Cross to train its students. This caused some difficulties for the school. However, by 1840, the school was doing well again.

In 1854, the hospital expanded even more. Dr. Golding, the founder, retired in 1856. The hospital faced tough times when other new hospitals opened in London. But Charing Cross Hospital managed to stay strong.

In 1866, it hired professional nursing staff. The hospital was also made bigger several times. After a major rebuild in 1877, the hospital had doubled in size!

Moving to a New Home in the 1900s

The Accident and Emergency Department at the current hospital, opened in 1973

A sculpture by Henry Moore at the main entrance

The hospital was made even larger in 1902. In 1926, another eye hospital joined with Charing Cross Hospital. During the Blitz in 1940 (when London was bombed in World War II), the hospital moved. Staff, students, and patients went to a safer place outside London. In 1947, the hospital moved back to Charing Cross.

After the Second World War, it was decided the hospital should move again. This time, it would move away from central London. Many places were considered. Eventually, the hospital decided to build on the site of the old Fulham Hospital.

The new Charing Cross Hospital was opened by the Queen on May 22, 1973. It cost a lot of money to build back then. The building was designed by Ralph Tubbs. It has seventeen floors and is shaped like a cross.

Even though it moved, the hospital kept the name 'Charing Cross'. For a while, it was called 'Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham'. But eventually, the 'Fulham' part was dropped. The old Charing Cross Hospital building in Agar Street later became a police station.

Famous People from Charing Cross

The Mental Health Unit building

Many important people have been connected to Charing Cross Hospital. Here are a few:

• David Livingstone: He became a doctor at the hospital. Later, he became a very famous explorer.
• Thomas Huxley: He also trained as a doctor here. He wrote important books about science and evolution.
• John Astley Bloxam: He was a skilled surgeon at the hospital. He was known for his work in plastic surgery.
• Henry Hyde Salter: This doctor at the hospital studied and described Asthma in detail.
• Viscount Addison: He worked at the hospital. A part of the human body used as a surgical landmark is named after him.
• Herbert Barrie: He was a children's doctor at the hospital. He helped create one of London's first special care units for newborn babies. He also developed the country's first ambulance for newborns.

Getting to the Hospital

You can reach Charing Cross Hospital by London Buses. Routes 190, 211, 220, and 295 go there. There are also night bus routes like N11, N33, N72, and N97.

The Medical School's Journey

The Reynolds Building at the hospital

The Charing Cross Hospital Medical School joined with another medical school in 1984. They formed the Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School. Later, in 1997, this combined school became part of Imperial College London.

The Reynolds Building is next to the hospital. It was built for the medical school in 1976. Today, students from Imperial College School of Medicine use it a lot.

Maggie's West London Centre

On April 29, 2008, a special place called Maggie's Centre opened here. It was opened by famous people like Nigella Lawson and Sarah Brown. This center offers support to anyone affected by cancer in London.

In 2009, Michelle Obama visited the center. In October of that year, it won a big award for its design.

See also

• Healthcare in London
• List of hospitals in England