free hit counter
Walkergate Hospital, August 2013 | Oblivion State Urban Exploration

Post a thread

Post a thread in one of the forums

Browse the forums

Browse threads and contribute to reports

Contact Staff

Contact the team

Walkergate Hospital, August 2013

zeroUE

OS Member
OS Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2013
Messages
72
Reaction score
1
Points
8
At the time of my visit it was quite clear that the demo team had been there in full force, with 90% of the former hospital being reduced to nothing. What remained has been included in my report. Unfortunately there are no externals from on site as I was disturbed by an unmarked van which pulled up outside the buildings, with the driver proceeding to pile wooden blocks into the back. I saw a fire excape at the end of the (very soggy) corridor I was on and made my way along to it to find it was locked. Quietly does it back through the building and off.

From the BBC Domesday record in 1983: “This was built in 1888 originally as a hospital for Infectious Diseases such as scarlet fever, diphtheria, typhoid, tuberculosis and later polio.

During World War 1, injured soldiers who had been sent home were housed in two pavilions built on the East side of Benfield Road. Originally temporary, they were not demolished until about 7 yrs (which would be 1976) ago. The hospital, now contracted to 192 beds, has Eye Ear Nose and Throat departments.

It is expected to be used only for looking after old people in future, with operations being carried out at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle which has also the nearest Accident Departmentâ€Â.

Fast forward a bit to 2011: The two remaining wards at Walkergate Hospital shut for the final time in 2011

Ten elderly ward 4 patients, many of whom have been cared for at the hospital for a number of years, are to be moved to nursing homes.

The ward provides longer-term and palliative care services for patients with chronic conditions.

It also provides respite care for patients for one or two-week periods.

Patients are often transferred to the ward from the Royal Victoria Infirmary or Freeman Hospital if they need longer term nursing care.

It is thought the closure will take place this summer.

The services offered by ward 3, a rehabilitation facility that helps patients regain their confidence in mobility and tasks such as washing, dressing and taking medication, will be moved to the Freeman.

It is thought that the staff from both wards will move to roles at other hospitals.

A spokeswoman for Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “The elderly care accommodation at Walkergate Hospital dates back to the 1980s and after 130 years of sterling service is no longer appropriate.

“For some time now plans have been progressed to bring about alternative arrangements that serve to reflect the environment we should be providing either in the community or in the hospital.

“The reaction to change is understandable but what is to happen over the coming months is about overall quality improvement and for no other reason.â€Â

One relative of a patient, who did not wish to be named, said: “There are a lot of extremely unhappy relatives of patients who have valued the care given to their loved ones on ward 4 at Walkergate.

“The staff are a genuinely caring and close-knit team. The care which they provide is second to none. As for the patients, the impact on them doesn’t bear thinking about.

“As it is, they’re going to suddenly find themselves in some nursing home, in strange surroundings with strange people – a recipe for disaster.â€Â

9604705839_6b87cf3896_o.jpg


9607938904_f217c06ea4_o.jpg


Transix 800 S x-ray generator by GEC Medical (General Electric Company)

9604705807_5016162e8a_o.jpg


GEC Medical Stylos x-ray tube stand, smashed to the ground

9604705779_5bfc048f54_o.jpg


The x-ray power supply, 1000 volts AC

9604705741_a3fe824d3f_o.jpg


GEC Medical adjustable x-ray table

9604705707_5646572298_o.jpg


Kodak X-Omatic Identification Camera. This was used to put patient information onto an x-ray film by exposing a small corner of the film with the patients ID details

9604705697_af1a975186_o.jpg


9607938740_2e89ee704a_o.jpg


Kodak Automixer II. This was used to prepare the chemicals used for x-ray film. Developer would go in the left, fixer on the right with the controls in the middle. Each side could hold 40 litres of chemicals

9604705663_e5a2866a5d_o.jpg


I have no idea what Lokas is, they were all labelled as such but with different dates. Whatever was in them had by now turned solid. These were in the x-ray developing room.

9607938678_38cd68a1a4_o.jpg


9607938656_577bca0ae0_o.jpg


9604705589_f2793a8f08_o.jpg


Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide, outside the operating theater. The theater its self was empty.

9604705567_6a81ae4c7c_o.jpg


I was getting quite peckish by now, but someone had cleaned out the vending machine

9607938586_502b73af0e_o.jpg


Room 13, it wasn’t very lucky

9604705509_96629d4651_o.jpg


I’m hoping that’s tomato sauce on the wall of the General Office

9604705485_b404200fae_o.jpg


9604705475_98cc1cf6df_o.jpg


9604705447_5e26630311_o.jpg


9604705399_04247d29bf_o.jpg


9604705365_89ec2ba82d_o.jpg


A fancy bathtub. The water looked like someone used it to wash in after they shit themselves trialing the Jetpack Toilet

9604705355_37b07dc44d_o.jpg


Prototype Jetpack Toilet, unfortunately it will no longer fly

9607938414_cfc2597e62_o.jpg


This was the day room, doesn’t look very inviting now does it

9607938376_fd88b2e1bd_o.jpg


9607938338_779223ed3d_o.jpg


9607938320_43617bb585_o.jpg


Thanks for looking!

 

skeleton key

Full Member
OS Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
4,213
Reaction score
31
Points
48
It sounds like the place has taken quite a pounding but at the same time youve found plenty to capture.

Cool share

(y)

:comp

 

zeroUE

OS Member
OS Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2013
Messages
72
Reaction score
1
Points
8
It sounds like the place has taken quite a pounding but at the same time youve found plenty to capture.

Cool share

(y)



:comp

thanks! a pounding is putting it lightly lol, wish there had been the chance to get the externals to show it :weapon:

 

Banshee =}

Full Member
OS Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2013
Messages
193
Reaction score
1
Points
18
Wow this place is well trash now I visited nearly 2 year ago what a difference :0 cool report and pics RIP Walkergate :(

 

Perjury Saint

OS Member
OS Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2013
Messages
1,779
Reaction score
146
Points
63
Shes a bit fooked eh!! Got a good set out of it though... :)

 
S

seaside_rambler

Guest
Cool write up and pics, lolz at the jetpack toilet, You found lots of bits in there to photo despite the mess, excellent stuff (y)

 

Lara

Full Member
OS Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2013
Messages
2,157
Reaction score
43
Points
48
Nice one, got some good shots even though its been bashed, cool share :D

 

jones-y-gog

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Apr 30, 2013
Messages
1,766
Reaction score
870
Points
113
Location
Leodis
Bummer about the vending machine.

Really enjoyed that report especially the jetpack toilet! :shock:

 

shaddam

O.S Friend AAA
OS Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2013
Messages
2,132
Reaction score
11
Points
38
love a good hospital, this is great :)

 
S

Scattergun

Guest
“As it is, they’re going to suddenly find themselves in some nursing home, in strange surroundings with strange people – a recipe for disaster.”

That's cost cutting for you. An all too familiar story. Interesting write up mate :)

 

Nelly

O.S Friend AAA
OS Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2011
Messages
1,653
Reaction score
3
Points
38
Christ mate, you're getting about a bit!!

Another great report

(y)

 

zeroUE

OS Member
OS Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2013
Messages
72
Reaction score
1
Points
8
Christ mate, you're getting about a bit!!

Another great report

(y)
Haha I've still got a couple of August reports to write and about 4 or 5 planned for September! Love getting out and about and it gives the opportunity to go places you don't normally see.... and post the results on great forums like this one which I must admit is one of the friendliest places I visit

 

Nelly

O.S Friend AAA
OS Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2011
Messages
1,653
Reaction score
3
Points
38
Glad you like the forum mate, were trying our hardest to make it different!!

Spread the word!!

(y)

 
Top