Christchurch Hospital, Dorset

Christchurch Hospital is part of the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It is located in Fairmile in Christchurch, Dorset, England.HistoryThe buildings began their life as the Christchurch Workhouse, built in 1881. The same buildings were used as a military hospital during both World War I and World War II - several wards were added during this time.Christchurch Hospital was first opened as a public hospital in 1948 following the abolishment of the Poor Law and the creation of the NHS.Following the opening of the Royal Bournemouth Hospital in 1992, acute services were moved there. The hospital was rationalised and older buildings were sold for development - a large proportion of the site was turned into housing in 1995.It developed as a centre for rehabilitation. There has been a complete refurbishment programme and new building work for that purpose. The Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn, awarded the trust’s stroke service Beacon status in 2000.The Hospital Trust gained Foundation status on 1 April 2005 following three consecutive years of being rated as a three star performing trust.ServicesAn all-age rehabilitation service is available, though most patients are elderly. To support rehabilitation there are physiotherapy and occupational therapy facilities. There is a day hospital, a dermatology resource unit, rheumatology, and Macmillan unit (palliative care).