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| Name |
St Andrew's Healthcare |
| Address |
Pound Lane |
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| Town |
North Benfleet |
| State |
Essex |
| Country |
UK |
| Post Code |
SS12 9JP |
| Phone |
01268 723800 |
| Fax |
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| Email |
clarehouse@standrew.co.uk |
| Website |
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About St Andrew's Healthcare
** About Us **
A Charity leading innovation in mental health
St Andrew's is the UK's largest not-for-profit mental healthcare charity.
We offer specialist services for men, women, adolescents and older people across:
Mental Healthcare
Learning Disability
Acquired Brain Injury
Progressive and Neurodegenerative Conditions
By putting our service users' needs at the heart of everything that we do, we have built a culture encouraging innovative practices, leading clinical expertise and forward-thinking attitudes. Through this, St Andrew’s is fast-becoming a national centre of excellence.
** Values and Purpose **
Empowerment, Innovation, Excellence
Our values frame everything that we do. At St Andrew’s, we are committed to offering the best care for our service users, staff and partners, and have strong, value-driven goals for our continued future:
The Charity provides public healthcare in the finest environment. We are worlds ahead of our competitors; leading the way through our innovative practices and using our unique charitable status to reinvest funds into developing specialist, regionally-centred care.
We invest in our people. We continue to nurture their talents and have our sights firmly set on becoming the ‘employer of choice’ in the mental health care sector.
We are committed to providing our service users with empowered care and rehabilitation which encourages independence. Those in our care can lead better, more fulfilled lives within a safe and secure therapeutic environment.
Empowerment
All of our staff, service users, carers and healthcare workers will maximise their ability to the best they can be.
Innovation
We will continue to invest in specialist and regional services and constantly improve our already excellent facilities.
Excellence
We will lead the way in care and employ staff with a desire to improve the quality of life of our service users.
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History Of St Andrew's Healthcare
St Andrew’s Heritage: a charity leading in mental health
The Hospital at Northampton opened in 1838, intended to offer humane care to the mentally ill. It was founded on the principle of “Moral Treatment”, led by Dr Thomas Prichard, and ever since has been at the forefront of innovation in mental health care. The building was purpose designed by Mr George Wallet of the Bethlem Hospital, and funded in large part from the reserves of the by then disbanded Northamptonshire Yeomanry, through the good offices of Sir William Wake Bt.
The land, once owned by the Cluniac Priory of St Andrew's in Northampton, was purchased at auction. In 1834 the Second Earl Spencer was elected a Vice President of the proposed Institution. His descendant, Princess Diana, visited St Andrew’s in 1983 to open Spencer House, now part of our Women’s service. The Spencers were one of a number of prominent Northamptonshire families continuously involved in St Andrew’s over many generations. Several of these remain involved as Trustees, Governors and supporters of the Charity. The current Chairman Charles Wake, and immediate past Chairmen Christopher Davidge and Sir John Robinson are also descended from the founding families.
Development of the charity
The original architecture is still appreciated by patients in our older age service, who enjoy the fine panelling and ceilings, wide corridors, well-lit lounges and pleasant views. The 106 acre estate at Northampton includes the Hospital Chapel of 1863, designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, famous for The Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras Station and the Albert Memorial. His son later became a resident. Chaplaincy services at St Andrew’s continue to flourish click here
By the mid-nineteenth century the hospital was well recognised as a leader in the field of mental healthcare and by 1865 cared for over 400 patients. Today St Andrew’s has over 500 patients in Northampton, with services in Essex bringing the total to over 600. Technological developments at St Andrew's Hospital included telephones installed in 1881, an electrical generator in 1898 and motor transport around 1909. The wider therapeutic environment was always a focus at St Andrew’s. Occupational therapy began in the 1920s, and the St Andrew’s School of Occupational Therapy, now part of the Health School at the University of Northampton, dates from 1941. St Andrew’s is a major national centre for training in occupational therapy and mental health nursing.
Also in 1941, the Northampton site was victim to the Luftwaffe, with reconstruction of wards, libraries, a gym and recreational facilities completed by 1954.
St Andrew's was one of four Registered Psychiatric Hospitals exempted from joining the National Health Service in 1948, maintaining its charitable status. Only St Andrew’s and the Retreat in York now remain in the charity sector. Since 1948 the proportion of NHS patients at St Andrew’s has grown to be now almost 100%.
Prominent people
St Andrew’s best-known past resident was Northamptonshire-born John Clare, England’s greatest rural poet. He died in 1864 after more than 22 years of care, having written many poems in the hospital. Joseph Hassid, a pre-war Polish violinist compared with Heifetz and Menuhin, stayed briefly. Amongst other artistic residents have been Northamptonian Sir Malcolm Arnold, perhaps the greatest English composer of the twentieth century, who agreed to a new adolescent facility being named after him. The aristocratic Violet Gibson, who shot Mussolini in the 1920’s, was cared for here, as have been members of many celebrated and influential families.
In its long history the Board of Governors would typically include a Duke, an Admiral or General, a few captains of industry, as well as several knights and nobles. They have all supported the charity, often through fundraising, giving their time generously.
These prominent figures, linked with St Andrew’s as patients, visitors or patrons, have brought in their wake historians, novelists, playwrights and descendants requesting access to our archive, or the old hospital itself. These requests are considered on an individual basis, taking into account the rights and known wishes of those concerned. For this reason most are not mentioned here.
Past Medical Superintendents are commemorated in ward names. Dr Joseph Bayley held the post for 47 years until 1913, and amongst much else laid out the fine grounds of St Andrew’s. Dr Daniel Rambaut, whose name is attached to our secure service for older men, was an Irish Rugby International who became President of the Royal Medico-Psychological Association in 1939, the predecessor of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Dr Thomas Tennent also became President of the College in 1971, and his son Dr Gavin Tennent, who was brought up within the grounds of St Andrew’s Hospital, became Superintendent in 1975. Dr James Harper brought an interest in Huntington’s disease, and our specialist Huntington’s unit is named after him.
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