Patients leaving through the gates of the Leicester City Mental Hospital

Date:
15 Sep 1942
Location:
Leicester City Mental Hospital, Gipsy Lane, Humberstone, City of Leicester
Show all locations
Leicester County Lunatic Asylum, Gipsy Lane, Humberstone, City of Leicester
Leicester Borough Lunatic Asylum, Gipsy Lane, Humberstone, City of Leicester
TOWERS HOSPITAL, GIPSY LANE, Humberstone, City of Leicester
Reference:
MED01/01/3175
Type:
Photograph (Print)
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Description

The original caption may contain language which is historic and which may no longer be considered appropriate. It has been retained in the record in the interest of historical accuracy.

The caption on the reverse of the photograph reads: ““Open Door” nursing for mental patients. Picture shows mental patients passing through the open door of a mental hospital on their way to their various occupations, visits or shopping expeditions.”

The open door system in psychiatric hospitals was believed to reduce the patients’ want to escape. A more extensive use of parole, which allowed patients to venture beyond hospital grounds and often to work, was also introduced. In the 1940s, as psychiatric hospitals adopted this system, it was also hoped that prejudice surrounding these hospitals would lessen as a result, particularly as many patients now entered psychiatric hospitals voluntarily. Patients at Leicester City Mental Hospital were housed in male and female wings, and villas or lodges were built in the 20th century to accommodate “working patients”. During the Second World War, one villa was used by the Emergency Medical Service to treat casualties. See also MED01/01/3172-3174 and MED01/01/3176. High-resolution copies of this image are available for free for non-commercial use. Please Enquire to place an order.

Content

This is part of the Series: MED01/01 Series of prints; within the Collection: MED01 Topical Press Agency Medical Collection

Rights

Source: Historic England Archive

People & Organisations

Photographer: Topical Press Agency Limited

Photographer: Harrison, Norman Kingsley

Keywords

Psychiatric Hospital, Gate, Health And Welfare