Echoes of Care: The Story of North Lonsdale Hospital

Step back in time and imagine the glint of sunlight on polished brass doorknobs, the crisp white uniforms of nurses bustling down long corridors, and the faint clinking of teacups echoing from the nurses’ station. This was the scene at North Lonsdale Hospital,
Barrow-in-Furness’s steadfast guardian of health for nearly a century.

Built between 1885 and 1887, this architectural gem designed by Paley and Austin, saw its capacity grow with an extra wing in 1899.

Life within those walls was a symphony of sounds and sensations: the echoing footsteps of hurried doctors, the hushed whispers of worried families, and the distinct scent of antiseptic mingling with the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from the hospital kitchen.

Many dedicated individuals worked within those walls. In 1988, Assistant Medical Records Officer May Wilson retired after years of service, receiving warm farewells from colleagues like Consultant John Kilshaw and District Medical Records Officer Tim Preston. That same year, the hospital received a generous donation of £180 from Margaret Ellis of the Furness Health Studio, presented to occupational therapist Norma Steer for a specially designed chair for the children’s unit.

Sadly, with the opening of Furness General Hospital in 1986, North Lonsdale’s chapter closed in 1989. The original buildings were demolished in the early 90s, but its spirit endures. Two nursing homes now stand in its place, incorporating saved features like the 1899 stone lintel from the medical ward’s entrance – you can almost feel the cool, smooth tiles beneath your feet as you pass through it.

A lasting tribute to the place that cared for Barrow for so long. What are your memories of North Lonsdale Hospital? Share your stories and photos with us! You can email them to info@furness-whisper.uk or use the contact us page on our website.