History of Wrexham Infirmary and the Dispensary's creation

Looking back at Wrexham Dispensary and Infirmary. Picture courtesy of Richard Jones

The Dispensary

The Wrexham Dispensary was opened in Yorke Street, on May 1, 1833 with the need of medical care for the town, which at this time was very limited indeed.

It was a local physician by the name of Dr Thomas Taylor Griffith, that sought out the need for this dispensary, his case proving successful with the help and encouragement off the influential Sir Watkins Williams Wynn.

Looking back at Wrexham Dispensary and Infirmary. Picture courtesy of Richard Jones

It is noted that a year before the opening of the dispensary at Yorke Street, that Dr Thomas Taylor Griffith had the honor of attending the young Princess Victoria when she was taken ill whilst staying at the Wynnstay Hall, Ruabon, the home of Sir Watkins Williams Wynn.

The Wrexham Dispensary ran for five years from its opening in 1833 to provide the local community, including the poor, a sound quality of care etc.

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Looking back at Wrexham Dispensary and Infirmary. Picture courtesy of Richard Jones

Five years into the dispensary, Dr Thomas Taylor Griffith knew they ultimately needed a new premise and building with up-to-date medical instruments to cater for the growing town and need for good medical care.

The doctor had a project in mind, with the idea of constructing an infirmary in Wrexham with more modern equipment and he started by putting together a fund, where the public added to it as well as Sir Watkins Williams Wynn, who added most of the money.

Looking back at Wrexham Dispensary and Infirmary. Picture courtesy of Richard Jones

Wrexham Infirmary

Wrexham Infirmary was opened in the year 1838 in Regent Street. It also had added to the new building a stylish stone portico on the front of the building as a gift from Dr Thomas Taylor Griffith.

The newly built infirmary now had a good skilled team of surgeons, matrons, nurses and doctors. The honorary surgeon was a gentleman called Dr Parker. Dr Thomas Taylor Griffith, instrumental in getting the new infirmary, also worked there as a physician and surgeon.

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Looking back at Wrexham Dispensary and Infirmary. Picture courtesy of Richard Jones

Within it's first year of being in operation the infirmary received a lot of support from the public and was also receiving a lot of financial help courtesy of benefactors from local businesses etc.

As the infirmary grew, there was a need for more room, so there was a ward added, called 'Victoria Ward' named after the Queen who recently ascended to the throne.

By 1844 the infirmary had a second ward added to accommodate the growing influx of patients. It is said an estimated 12,000 people received treatment at the infirmary by this time.

Looking back at Wrexham Dispensary and Infirmary. Picture courtesy of Richard Jones

Three years later, in 1847, a Dr Dickenson would administer the first general anaesthetic to a patient, who had a successful leg amputation at the infirmary, possibly it could of been the first time for anaesthetic to be used in the whole of Wales.

1855 saw the retirement of the influential physician Dr Thomas Taylor Griffith, also the infirmary now was seeing vast numbers of patients being admitted, so there was a great need for extra operating theatres and a bigger drugs room. This was to be funded by the public.

The infirmary also had a fever ward added, which was funded by a local businessman William Overton.

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Looking back at Wrexham Dispensary and Infirmary. Picture courtesy of Richard Jones

Coming to the end of the 19th century saw the infirmary struggle with finances. This became resolved with the help of another public subscription and with this the infirmary added a children's ward to the premises.

Going into the 20th century saw the infirmary add more wards to its building, with one being named Piercy Ward, after a benefactor Benjamin Piercy. There were another two wards built in the early 1900s and they became to be known as King Edward VII Ward for men and Queen Alexandra Ward for women.

Looking back at Wrexham Dispensary and Infirmary. Picture courtesy of Richard Jones

The Wrexham Infirmary received a royal visit in 1920 by King George V and Queen Mary and Princess Mary. Five years later in 1925 saw the infirmary close, as there was the bigger and more improved Wrexham and East Denbighshire Memorial Hospital built, so there was no need for the infirmary.

The site of the infirmary remained closed for years, then the Denbighshire Technical College took over the building, where they used it to run the School of Creative Arts from the 1950s until present day but is now part of Wrexham Glyndwr University.