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The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

HOSPITALS

BEAUMONT HOUSE TUBERCULOSIS AND CHEST CLINIC

Following the closure of Beaumont House as the Town's Museum in 1910, it lay empty until 1916 when it was re-opened as a TB Dispensary.   This came about because in 1911 all local authorities had to take on responsibility for the treat ment of tuberculosis, providing facilities for examination of likely carriers, and organising treatment.  As it was considered that the best treatment was lots of fresh air, forty-two beds were provided at Mount Gould Isolation Hospital, with further long-stay facilities at Didworthy Sanatorium, at South Brent, and Udell Tor, at Yelverton.

During the Second World War other functions were added, like the school dental clinic and X-rays.

In 1948 all the health functions were nationalised under the National Health Service.  As TB was successfully eradicated so Beaumont House took on the role of Chest Clinic, dealing with asthma, bronchitis and cancer.  In 1988 this function was transferred to Freedom Fields Hospital and Beaumont House closed.

Sources:

[1]

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

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