1810 - Foundation of
Bristol Eye Hospital
Interest in founding an eye hospital in Bristol was stimulated
by the influx of Egyptian Ophthalmia into the country during the
Napoleonic wars and the notable success achieved in dealing with
this disease at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London in 1805 and
Exeter Eye Infirmary in 1808. The Eye Hospital's founder, Dr
William Henry Goldwyer, negotiated the use of a house in Lower
Maudlin Street, one of several properties owned by the Blind
Asylum. Known as The Institution for the Cure of Disease of
the Eye Amongst the Poor, the hospital was run by a superintendent,
Mrs Dorothea Hughes, at a salary of £10 per annum, and she lived
there with her husband who assisted with general duties in exchange
for his lodgings.
The hospital was funded mainly by annual subscription together,
with collection boxes in churches, places of employment and at the
offices of societies such as the Foresters, Oddfellows, the Druids
and the Amalgamated Friendly Societies.
1839 - Hospital purchased from the Blind Asylum
The hospital was becoming too small and a newly appointed
surgeon, Mr Francis Richardson Cross, convinced the hospital
committee of the need to expand, so the adjacent houses were
purchased. The hospital buildings were continually improved in the
subsequent years: 1895 saw the installation of the telephone and
electricity was installed in 1904.
1898 - Further properties bought
Properties in Blackfriars, Harford and Lower Maudlin Streets
were bought and then demolished over the next 20 years. Further
extension of the hospital was first proposed in 1923 and finally
agreed in 1931.
1935 - New hospital completed
The new hospital was completed in June 1935 at a cost of £47,365
and was opened by the Duchess of Beaufort on 21 October 1935. The
old houses became the Nurses Home.
1948 - National Health Service introduced
This year saw the birth of the National Health Service and the
Eye Hospital became part of the Bristol and Weston Health
Authority.
1982 - Building demolished
Once again the hospital had outgrown itself and the old building
was demolished to make way to the one we know today. The hospital
decamped for four years to the Bristol Homoeopathic Hospital, St
Michaels Hill, Cotham.
1986 - Present hospital completed
The present hospital was completed and opened by the Rt. Hon.
The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Joan Jones on 30th July 1986.
The old houses are still in use as offices and meeting rooms. Five
splendid sculptured brick panels decorated the front of this
building and depict the theme creation. They were carved by the
eminent sculptor Walter Ritchie (1919-1997).
