Larbert lunatic asylum.

[bairnj]

Hi George,

How are you?

My GG Grandmother was in Bellsdyke Hospital in 1901 - the reason was post natal depression.  The reasons are amazing that pateints were in here - not like today at all.

I'm close by the hospital, there are still a few partial remaining blocks of the original hospital left (most have been badly damaged by fire now though)

[hazelnuts01]

An aunt of mine died in the Asylum, Larbert  of Enteritis - she lived in Avonbridge, near Bathgate.
I think Larbert Asylum  was probably a general hospital eventually - that was in 1933.
Hazelnuts.

[Rockford]

...Would this asylum cater for Armadale/Bathgate districts?...

From my own family, it would appear that it did.  My mum's great aunt died at Larbert in 1917, although her usual address was in Broxburn [which is even closer to Bangour!]

I suppose it may have depended on the circumstances and the nature of the person's condition.  I also think that Bangour was requisitioned as a Military Hospital during WW1, so that perhaps made a difference.

Best wishes

Rockford

[snimmo243]

Hi Rockford
You are correct about Bangour and WW1, there was, in fact a rail line direct to the hospital at the time. Bangour developed the top burns/plastic surgery unit in Britain which was still the case into the nineties where it was used during the first Iraq conflict before being transferred to St John's in Livingston.
It is worth bearing in mind that there were two parts to Bangour - the General Hospital (no longer exists) to the north and the Village (Psychiatric) to the south. The Village buildings are still standing although they are unused.

Steven

[Seoras]

Apologies to all who have replied,I don't seem to have been alerted to replies on this thread.Though my GG gran is entered as dying at Larbert,strangely no proof of her being admitted has turned up yet.Interesting the comment on depression as she did have a last child quite late in life and at the time of her death this was the only one left at home with her husband.Are the bulding that are still their the former asylum?

[snimmo243]

some of the buildings are still there and in use as a psychiatric unit

[bairnj]

None of the original Bellsdyke Hospital is still in use.  There are parts of the original hospital still in existence - mainly being supported by Scaffolding now as in the last few years it has been the target of arsonists.

Mental Health Services are within the remaining Bellsdyke Hospital which consists of Tryst Park, Tryst View and Russell Park.  These are fairly new build units, there is also a Therapuetic services unit on site and a shop.  THe area is rapidly being surrounded by new housing. 

The newly opened Forth Valley Royal hospital is on the site of the former Royal Scottish National Hospital, the old hospital was gradually shut down and patients transferred back to their originating health boards in 1999.  There are some Learning Disability units (known as the Bungalows) on the approach to the hospital.  Grounds maintenance recently uncovered a tunnel leading from Larbert House (on the RSNH site) to the lake - as yet details of what it would have been used for are a mystery.

If I get a chance I'll go and take some photos of the existing structures.  I'm led to believe that permission has recently been given to demolish the old Larbert House and another building at Central Boulevard - not sure how accurate that information is at the moment.

Gill x

[Seoras]

Thanks Gill,that tunnel does seem strange,why would it lead to the lake?

[snooki]

Another possible reason for being in there could sadly be dementia