Royal Naval Hospital Haslar, Gosport, UK

History of the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar

For over 250 years the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar in Gosport provided medical services to the Royal Navy. The hospital had a long and distinguished service, and more recently provided treatment for all three military services and to civilians.

Planning for the hospital commenced in 1745 to be the first of three hospitals providing medical treatment to Sailors of the Fleet. Building of the hospital took 16 years and was completed in 1762, however the fourth side was not completed due to over-expenditure. When it opened, Haslar Hospital was the largest hospital, and the largest brick building in England.

Royal Hospital Haslar – Front elevation and plan

As Haslar developed it didn’t take long until it started to resemble a prison more than a hospital. It was not uncommon for sailors to feign illness in order to be brought back to land from where they could escape. Extensive security measures were put in place and Haslar became known as an impenetrable fortress. The distinctive brick wall surrounding the site remains to this day, and was there to keep the sailors inside!

Development and expansion over the years ensured Haslar could stay at the forefront of care, and was always held in high regard. The many wars through the 20th century saw Haslar grow in terms of professionalism and technical ability while treating many casualties.

In 1966 Haslar became the core of the Tri-Services hospitals. The hospital was opened up to use by the NHS in later years, after military services were transferred to other hospitals. The site was closed and sold to developers in 2009.

Royal Haslar Hospital – External view of the main building

Royal Haslar Hospital – Ward full of beds

Royal Haslar Hospital – Ward Beds

Royal Haslar Hospital – Bed detail

Royal Haslar Hospital – A row of beds in a hospital ward

Royal Haslar Hospital – Hospital ward

Royal Haslar Hospital – Large staircase

Royal Haslar Hospital – An empty ward

Royal Haslar Hospital – Empty room

Royal Haslar Hospital – Saline drip bag

Royal Haslar Hospital – Waiting area

Royal Haslar Hospital – Temporary waiting room set up in an old ward

These pictures from 1905 and 1960 show the same ward as the image above, while the hospital was in use. Note the curtains for patient privacy were only added in 1960.

 

Royal Haslar Hospital – Decaying ward

Royal Haslar Hospital – Seats in a ward

Royal Haslar Hospital – Lights in an operating theatre

Royal Haslar Hospital – Plastic bone and book about medical procedures

The original operating theatre was situated above the main arcade. The first image shows the inside of the pavilion which can be seen in second image. The pavilion was removed after the First World War.
 

Royal Haslar Hospital – Children’s ward

Royal Haslar Hospital – Mural showing the Haslar Peninsula

Royal Haslar Hospital – Huge spiral staircase

Royal Haslar Hospital – Looking up the spiral

Royal Haslar Hospital – Looking down the spiral

Royal Haslar Hospital – Spiral staircase viewed from the bottom

Royal Haslar Hospital – Corridor in the Crosslink which was a later addition

Royal Haslar Hospital – Emblem in entrance

Royal Haslar Hospital – CT Scanner

Royal Haslar Hospital – Masses of equipment left behind

Royal Haslar Hospital – Control booth

Royal Haslar Hospital – X-Ray Machine

Royal Haslar Hospital – Fluoroscopic X-Ray Machine

Royal Haslar Hospital – Small X-Ray Machine

Royal Haslar Hospital – MRI Scanner

Royal Haslar Hospital – MRI Scanner and computer equipment

Royal Haslar Hospital – The arcade

Royal Haslar Hospital – Arcade entrance

Royal Haslar Hospital – Tramway in arcade

Royal Haslar Hospital – The Main Arcade was the original entrance

The tramway connected Haslar Jetty to the hospital so sick or injured sailors could be transferred easily from ships. Sick Berth staff would push the tram by hand into the hospitals arcade.
 

Royal Haslar Hospital – Columns and arches

Royal Haslar Hospital – The gymnasium

Royal Haslar Hospital – Lecture theatre

Royal Haslar Hospital – Dental surgery

Royal Haslar Hospital – Waiting area

Royal Haslar Hospital – Hydrotherapy Pool

Royal Haslar Hospital – Hydrotherapy Pool

Royal Haslar Hospital – Items in the lab

Royal Haslar Hospital – Laboratory

Royal Haslar Hospital – Centrifuge

Royal Haslar Hospital – Chair behind frayed curtains

Royal Haslar Hospital – Staircase in the newer extension

Royal Haslar Hospital – Stairs from top

Royal Haslar Hospital – Wheelchair

Royal Haslar Hospital – Chair in large empty room

Royal Haslar Hospital – Pool table

Royal Haslar Hospital – Cafe area

Royal Haslar Hospital – Canada Block external

Royal Haslar Hospital – G-Block External

Haslar Padded Cell – Pocock Brothers Padded Cell

More about the Padded Cell

G-Block was the hospital’s psychiatric ward and features an original Pocock Brothers padded cell. I have written a separate report about the padded cell.