Happy Birthday! The Welly is 38 today!

As The Wellington Hospital celebrates its 38th birthday today, we look very briefly at the hospital’s history and the changes and developments so far…

A Potted History…

Originally commissioned by the British and Commonwealth Shipping Group – The Wellington Hospital South opened 25^th April 1974. It had just 98 rooms and three operating theatres – on average patients were expected to stay a staggering 8 – 14 days – how medicine has changed.

 Dr Arthur Levin, The Wellington Hospital’s founder and first medical director, had a vision of a first-class hospital, which incorporated the best medical and nursing care – alongside accommodation and service normally associated with a luxury hotel.

With the success of the first hospital behind it, 1982 saw the opening of the hospital’s twin – the North Tower built on Circus Road.

Architect Frederick Woodhead, who designed both the North and South Wellington towers, championed such things as ‘sense sensitive’ design; developing a place for patients – not just consultants and nursing staff. With patients foremost in mind, both hospitals were built in the shape of a ziggurat, allowing each room to capture the maximum amount of natural light in each patient room.

Many people may connect the hospital with fond memories, in particular the birth of their children. Until the early 90’s babies where delivered in the North tower, some of those in the renowned Special Care Baby Unit.

In 2007 the hospital expanded again, opening its satellite centre in Golders Green – the Wellington Diagnostics and Outpatients Centre. And just last year the Platinum Medical Centre, the hospital’s day case and outpatient opened; making it the largest independent facility of its kind in the country.

Today, The Wellington Hospital is the largest private hospital in the UK, with an international reputation for excellence which spans worldwide.

Much has developed within the hospital, which now comprises: 266 beds,15 operating theatres, 50+ consulting rooms and the most up-to-date technology available anywhere in the UK, but one thing has always remained – to provide the very best in healthcare for our patients.

If you are interested in reading more about the original hospital, here is an article written a year after the hospital opened from ‘Seafari’ magazine, : read here