Heatherwood Hospital In Picture
Maternity unit

A Step Back In Time Heatherwood Maternity Unit

Welcome to Heatherwood in picture. The following page carries some photo's of Heatherwood Maternity Unit.

Where possible we have detailed some information about the pictures.
This is just a snapshot of Heatherwood Maternity Unit, over the years.

The building of the new unit was under discussion in the mid sixties as the population of Bracknell was increasing. The original quote for the work was £500,000 this increased to £620,000 by 1966. It was hoped if financing approved by the ministry of health work would get underway in 1968-69. The building plan included additional residential care for nurses and staff improved pathology facilities(£48,000) and an extension to the boiler house costing £3'872.This additional work estimated to be completed by 1971.

This unit was opened in March 1972 with three wards 6,7,8, at a cost of £750,000.Attached to the rear was the special care baby unit along with delivery suites. Prior to opening, the building was used by the film Carry on Matron as the fictitious Finisham hospital, this filming was carried out in October 1971.

The unit had 50 maternity beds, 15 special care cots and 24 Gynaecological beds.

The first twelve babies born in the unit were presented with a £2 premium bond from the League of Friends. The first recipient was Cheryl Brundish daughter of Marilyn Brundish. In addition Cheryl received a gift wrapped box of groceries from Clifford's Dairies.Following on from Cheryl, Muriel Brind was born a daughter and followed by Pauline bunker also a daughter.

In 1995 the Maternity unit was downgraded to mid-wife only deliveries,complicated deliveries would be transferred to Wexham.

As the years rolled by, wards were closed and re-purposed.

Maternity Unit 2000

The patient radio request service(Radio Heatherwood) is asked to vacate it's premises on the ground floor to accommodate the South East Berkshire doctors on call offices. The radio station was located on the ground floor in 1976.

Maternity Unit 2004

Ward 8 is closed to Gynae patients and a new ward is added as an annex to ward 1. This is ward 1G.

Maternity Unit 2005

The Maternity unit has changed services in recent years. Incorporating the new diagnostic centre,X-ray and minor injuries on the ground floor. Out-patients clinics have also been added. Maternity services plays only a small part of the use of the unit today.

Maternity Unit 2011

In 2011 the small maternity unit closed and moved to Wexham.

Maternity Unit 2014

2014 April Minor injuries unit on the ground floor is closed.

Ward 8 closes and functions and staff are moved to Wexham.

Maternity Unit 2016

Video 10.The outside is captured by the League of Friends Treasurer.

Maternity Unit 2022

Video 11.The outside is captured as part of a review of the preparation to demolish the hospital. Long since lost it's maternity services.

Maternity Unit Demolition 2023

Finisham Hospital in Carry On Matron Demolished

Throughout the month of June an old friend to the Ascot skyline was slowly but surely demolished and along with it, the memories of the community who frequented it's wards and corridors.

The decision to demolish the unit was announced in 2016 and along with the rest of the hospital it's fate was sealed.

Opened 15th March 1972 ( Official opening took place on 14th April by Major General Robert Johnstone )the unit managed births for the area for 39 years. A special care baby unit at the rear was an integral part of the new maternity services.

The first and second floors were the wards catering for mothers to be and the upper floor was for gynaecological issues.

In the late 1990's the special care baby unit was closed a new diagnostic unit was set-up, in it's place housing x-ray, out-patients and consultants rooms.

2001 and the minor injuries unit is located on the ground floor.

We thank the former staff of the Maternity unit, who through their dedication made it the place to be for a new mum.

Videos detailing the demolition can be found on the demolition page.

Heatherwood Hospital History

If you have any information pictures or stories about Heatherwood 1922-2022, We would love to add them to our web site.

P.J. Davidson-Smith