Rochdale New Infirmary Industry Road Rochdale

THE ROCHDALE NEW INFIRMARY – The infirmary buildings which are being erected at Rochdale, and which are to be opened by Mr J Bright on the 10 February are now nearly complete. The site is about 2139 superficial square yards at the north end of Rochdale on which stands Howard House, a well-built and commodious mansion. Howard House has been altered as to serve for the administrative purposes and contains consulting rooms, dispensary, doctors’ and matron’s apartments and various necessary offices. Adjoining Howard House, the new buildings are erected. The entrance hall gives admission to the waiting and operating rooms, and to a wide corridor and staircase leading to the first floor.   The ground floor contains a general ward 54 feet by 24 feet and a special ward 19 feet by 12 feet, the latter apartment being intended for either special cases or children. Nurses’ rooms, baths, lavatories, etc are also conveniently placed.  The second floor in its arrangement and in the sizes of the rooms and wards is an exact counterpart of the floor beneath and it is expected that the building will provide a total of 30 beds.  The cost of the work is estimated at £2,500 exclusive of furnishings, decoration etc. The material used in the construction is red brick with terra cotta dressings and it has been so designed as to be in keeping with Howard House. A wall encloses the building and grounds, and the main approach is by Industry Road. Mr Simpson Butterworth, architect, Rochdale, has prepared the plans and superintended the carrying out of the works, the contractor being Mr Thomas Taylor, Lowerplace. [Manchester Guardian 25 January 1883 page 5].

Reference    British Architect, 21 July 1882 Page 350
Reference    British Architect 2 February 1883 Page 60
Reference    Manchester Guardian 25 January 1883 page 5