My mum was a nurse probationer there in the early 1950's and always referred to it as Highcroft Hall. Had some very interesting stories about her experiences tooJust off the top of my head, it was Aston Union Workhouse and then became Highcroft Hospital. I am wondering if highcroft Hall was a local name?
I do know it was a geriatric ward for the elderly, and it was also home to a lot of people with both mental and physical disabilities. There were a lot of ‘stories’ associated with the site. Some say it used to home quite dangerous inmates in padded cells etc. I was asked to develop and print a set of photos from an exhibition showing some of the restraint devices used at the hospital.
With changes in medical care and new drugs, these practices fell out of use.
Just off the top of my head, it was Aston Union Workhouse and then became Highcroft Hospital. I am wondering if highcroft Hall was a local name?
I do know it was a geriatric ward for the elderly, and it was also home to a lot of people with both mental and physical disabilities. There were a lot of ‘stories’ associated with the site. Some say it used to home quite dangerous inmates in padded cells etc. I was asked to develop and print a set of photos from an exhibition showing some of the restraint devices used at the hospital.
With changes in medical care and new drugs, these practices fell out of use.
Highcroft hospital had a geriatric ward, it did treat people who did not have psychiatric disorders. My grandfather died there after suffering several strokes. Does it mention cancer on the death certificate? Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart.My grandmother died there in 1949. I was always told she died from cancer, and her death certificate mentions pneumonia and myocarditis, but I'm now wondering if she had a psychiatric disorder. Would they have placed cancer patients there then?
Good luck to Samantha! There are groups in Ireland and UK for tracing the mothers of adopted children. But this is never an easy task. One last thought: https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and...family-history-a-step-by-step-guide-1.3423973Many thanks Stokkie
I am in touch with Samantha now on ancestry and have filled her in on what I could and come up with ideas for her to try, such as a newspaper request- slim chance but the Brum Mail might do it. Plus buying the Highcroft book. She did private dna but I have suggested sending the raw dna to My Heritage and or Gedmatch to widen the reach. Her small tree gives her relatives that Barnados gave to her. Widening this might, just might, link to an Irish living relative. She knows it is a long shot. Such a shame that adoption agencies never tried to add photos. She is living now in an apartment at the Highcroft site so that in its way brings her a bit nearer to her mom. If anything more comes to light I will update. Many thanks everyone.
The old Highcroft hospital was mostly demolished in 1996 and new apartments were built upon the site in the 2000's, I think. The mental health service facility (Northcroft) was moved to modern buildings which are off Reservoir Road.The site in 1950, it was enormous ! Some early buildings seem to still be there today, but it looks like there's been substantial new housing development in recent times and many of the older buildings seem to have gone
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Source : British Newspaper Archive
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