Temporary Wards Manchester Royal Infirmary

THE NEW SHEDS AT THE ROYAL INFIRMARY - Acting upon the authority of the Sites Committee, the Weekly Board of the Royal Infirmary are now engaged in erecting three temporary sheds for the reception of Infirmary patients. The first of these, which is intended for erysipelas cases, has been completed and will be fitted with 16 beds, most of which, it is expected, will be occupied in the course of the present week by patients who are now under treatment in the Infirmary. The building stands on or near the site of the old temporary fever ward at the Parker street side of the grounds, and has been erected on the pavilion principle. It is a neat, lofty and substantial structure, and has been provided with all the facilities that are necessary for the class of patient for whom it is intended. The foundations are laid in brick, and wood has been used in the erection of the superstructure. The building is well-lighted from the sides, the windows being immediately opposite each other, so as to ensure cross ventilation. Suitable apartments have also been provided for the staff of nurses that will be requires to attend upon the patients. The pavilion at the Portland Street end was commenced ten days ago, and will be completed in less than a fortnight. It will contain 64 beds for ordinary patients, in addition to which there will be an acute ward containing three beds, nurses room, lavatories etc. The third shed will be erected on the George Street side, near to the main entrance gates and will be supplied with 36 beds. The entire cost of the three sheds will be at the rate of ,25 per bed. The contractors, Messrs Davis and Mawdsley, Oxford Street, were only occupied ten days in the erection of the erysipelas ward and the building at the Portland street end is being executed quite as expeditiously. The architect, Mr Booth, of 88 King Street, as already had similar works in hand, the fever wards at Monsall and the Convalescent Hospital at Cheadle having been erected from his designs. It will be scarcely necessary to explain that the new sheds at the Infirmary are only for temporary use. The necessity for their erection has arisen from the strong terms in which Mr Netten Radcliffe spoke of the defective drainage of the Infirmary. A report will shortly be presented by a London engineer "as to the measures to be adopted with reference to the cleansing and reconstruction of the drains," and the trustees will then have to decide upon the remedies to be adopted.[Manchester Guardian 9 August 1876 page 6]

Reference           Manchester Guardian 9 August 1876 page 6