Was it Princess Mary of Teck who opened the Brentford Workhouse Infirmary here? That’s right. Today, we’re standing before West Middlesex University Hospital. It is not just a place of healing. It’s a place steeped in history and transformation.
West Middlesex University Hospital started as the Brentford Workhouse Infirmary in 1896. Princess Mary of Teck officially opened it. In 1920, it became known as the West Middlesex Hospital. Then in 1931, it was renamed the West Middlesex County Hospital. Queen Mary opened a new maternity department in 1932. It was named the Queen Mary Maternity Wing.
During World War II, bombs damaged the Queen Mary Maternity Wing. The Duchess of Gloucester reopened the repaired wing in 1960. The hospital officially became West Middlesex University Hospital in 1991.
In 2001, a major project began to redevelop the site. Bouygues carried out the work for £55 million. The project finished in 2003. West Middlesex University Hospital achieved UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation in December 2011. It was the first London hospital to receive this award.
The hospital explored becoming an NHS Foundation Trust in September 2012. Ultimately, it sought a partner. West Middlesex University Hospital joined Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on 1 September 2015.
West Middlesex University Hospital serves the London Boroughs of Hounslow, Richmond upon Thames and Ealing. It has over 400 beds. The hospital provides a full range of services. These include accident and emergency care and acute medicine. It also offers care for the elderly, surgery, and maternity services.
The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust manages the hospital. The Care Quality Commission rates the trust as ‘Good’. This shows the trust is well-led. It also offers safe, caring, responsive, and effective services.
West Middlesex University Hospital is a teaching hospital. It is affiliated with Imperial College School of Medicine. It is also an academic health science partner. This is part of the Imperial College Academic Health Sciences Partnership.
Research plays a vital role at West Middlesex University Hospital. The hospital delivers many research studies. These studies cover the breadth of its clinical practice. The Research Department manages and supports all research aspects. It helps internal and external researchers, sponsors, and the public access resources.
The West Middlesex Maternity Unit is in the Queen Mary maternity building. It is next to the main hospital. The unit provides NHS maternity services to South West London. It works with local GPs and community midwives. The Maternity Unit has birthing rooms and a natural birth centre. The Natural Birth Centre offers birthing pools. Partners can stay overnight.
West Middlesex University Hospital blends history with modern healthcare. It continues to evolve. It provides vital services to the community. From its humble beginnings as a workhouse infirmary to its current status as a university hospital, West Middlesex University Hospital remains a pillar of healthcare in West London.