Days Gone By: Ipswich Hospital through the decades

The new ambulance station in 1979 Picture: PAUL NIXON (Image: Archant)

In todays Days Gone By I have taken a look at faces and places on the site over past decades.

Over several years wards and services were moved to the Heath Road from the Anglesea Road hospital. By 1988 all services had moved and most of the Anglesea Road site was demolished and the original building was converted to a home for the elderly, Anglesea Heights.

A large part of site at the Woodbridge Road end had been occupied by a Victorian workhouse, which opened in 1899, replacing the Union Workhouse in Great Whip Street. The workhouse was a place feared by most people, housing the poor, elderly and infirm in grim conditions. As the hospital expanded most of the Heathfields Workhouse was demolished in 1969. Some of the buildings of the workhouse are still in use today.

The most recent change at the hospital was a new helicopter landing pad on the site of the former Bridge School.

The inside of an ambulance in 1979 Picture: PAUL NIXON (Image: Archant)

Do you have memories you would like to share with readers, or can you add names to anybody featured? To submit a letter write to David Kindred, Days Gone By, Ipswich Star/EADT, Portman House, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, IP1 1RS or send an e-mail here.

Who was this new arrival at Heath Road Hospital, Ipswich, in December 1977? Picture: JERRY TURNER (Image: Archant)

Time to go home for one new arrival at Ipswich Hospital in December 1977 Picture: JERRY TURNER (Image: Archant)

Staff with mothers and new babies at Ipswich Hospital in December1977. Are you in the picture? Picture: JERRY TURNER (Image: Archant)

Maternity block staff with Christmas gifts for the wards in December 1977 Picture: JERRY TURNER (Image: Archant)

Getting ready for Christmas in December 1977 in the maternity block at Ipswich Hospital Picture: JERRY TURNER (Image: Archant)

The new maternity block at Heath Road hospital is in the background of this photograph taken in September 1969, as much of the old workhouse site was being demolished Picture: OWEN HINES (Image: Archant)

Bath time for a new arrival at Ipswich Hospital in January 1971 Picture: PAUL NIXON (Image: Archant)

Nurses during training at Heath Road Hospital, Ipswich, in January 1971 Picture: PAUL NIXON (Image: Archant)

Nurses during training at Heath Road Hospital, Ipswich, in January 1971 Picture: PAUL NIXON (Image: Archant)

The new ambulance station in 1979 Picture: PAUL NIXON (Image: Archant)