One hundred years ago, on 23 September 1925, a new hospital was opened on Abbotsham Road. Bideford & District Community Archive has researched the background to the Bideford Community Hospital, which is still a key element of our community. 

Although there was a public dispensary in Bideford, the need for hospital beds became evident and a hospital was erected in Meddon Street. However, when this became unsuitable, the scheme to create a modern hospital to meet the requirements of current medical science started in 1919. The land was acquired for £1,000 and Abbotsham Road, ‘an admirable site’, was considered an ideal position because it was on high ground, near the centre of town and away from dust and noise. The Right Hon. Lord Glanely, a native of Appledore, laid the Foundation Stone of the New Bideford and District Hospital on 10 December 1924.

In August 1925, the Mayor of Bideford, Dr E J Toye, presided over a public meeting to inaugurate a campaign to raise £2,500 for the addition of a children’s ward to the new hospital. 

The official opening ceremony took place on 23 September 1925, presided over by the shipowner and philanthropist Sir William Reardon Smith. Dignitaries and representatives proceeded from the Town Hall in a civic procession, with residents and businesses along the route asked to ‘display as much decoration as possible’. Sir William then opened the main doors with a golden key. It was claimed that the hospital was among the most up-to-date and best equipped of any town in the county. The building had a bright and cheerful interior, and the 3 wards with 26 beds for adults and 6 for children, situated on the ground floor, contained ample air space, numerous windows and sun balconies. Electric light, gas, hot water and central heating were installed and special attention was paid to the warming of the operating theatre rooms. There were 6 beds for private patients, and the nursing staff quarters were on the first floor of the north side of the building. The cost to erect and equip the hospital was in the region of £21,000 which included expenditure for extras such as the provision of X-ray plant.

Upwards of a thousand people took tea at the hospital after the opening ceremony, and a dance was held in the Pannier Market to raise funds.