What is the most valuable thing in life? Certainly, most of our readers will agree that health is often underestimated. The world becomes different when something hurts us. Therefore, we should systematically make medical check-ups. It is also important to find a good healthcare facility. Fortunately, there are many hospitals in Leeds. In this article, we will tell you about St James’s University Hospital. By the way, it is also called Jimmy’s and is considered one of the most famous medical facilities in the United Kingdom. Learn more about the hospital at ileeds.info.
What is known about the history of the hospital?
The history of the hospital began in 1848. However, at first, it was called the Leeds Moral and Industrial Training School (today, it is part of the Lincoln Wing). The modern territory of the University Hospital also included the Leeds Union Workhouse, the Grade II listed chapel and the Leeds Union Infirmary.
It should be noted that till the end of the 19th century, these premises served mainly the poor population. During the First World War, it treated the military and was called the East Leeds War Hospital.
The name of the medical facility is connected with Dr James Allan. He was a Medical Superintendent of the Leeds Union Infirmary from 1881. James Allan retired in 1925 and the hospital was renamed St James’s in his honour. It was also named after James Ford, a member of the Leeds Board of Guardians.
Development of the medical institution
The hospital began to expand in 1948 and its territory underwent reconstruction too. In 1970, the medical institution was renamed St James’s University Hospital. Two years later, the hospital opened the Chancellor’s Wing, which included a new Accident and Emergency Department.
In 2004, the hospital opened a new Bexley Wing oncology building housing the St James’s Institute of Oncology. Its construction cost £265 million. The first patients were served here in 2007. It should be noted that it is one of the largest oncology centres in Europe with 1600 employees and 350 beds.
All of the hospital children’s wards were closed in 2010. To be more accurate, they were transferred to the Leeds General Infirmary.
Crime within St James’s Hospital
Unfortunately, St James’s University Hospital is known not only for quality medical services but also for its criminal stories. It is hard to believe that, in 2002, one of the hospital nurses was serial killer Colin Norris. He worked in the orthopaedics department and killed two patients. However, this is not all. Previously, he worked at Leeds General Infirmary. Later, it was found out that Colin Norris killed two patients there too. The killer was turned in by accident when Dr Emma Ward ordered blood tests on the victim Ethel Hall. The patient had a fractured thigh but inexplicably fell into a hypoglycemic coma. The tests showed that she was secretly injected with a huge amount of insulin.
However, criminal stories didn’t end there. Thus, the hospital’s student nurse Mohammad Farooq was arrested in 2023. He left an explosive device near the hospital’s maternity ward. In addition, the student has a semi-automatic pistol Gediz 9 mm PAK. Fortunately, the explosion was avoided and people remained alive.