Paddington Green Children's Hospital

In the 1860's Dr Eustace Smith and Dr T C Kirby established the North-West London Free Dispensary for Sick Children in cramped quarters at 12 Bell Street, NW1. It was set up as a charity and would provide medical treatment for any child without notice or recommendation. The buildings on Bell Street rapidly became too small for the number of patients being treated. In the early 1880's seven thousand pounds was raised and used to purchase two houses on Paddington Green. These were converted to form a hospital and opened on 16 August 1883 as Paddington Green Children's Hospital.

However, there was a serious outbreak of diphtheria at the hospital. As the cause could not be traced the hospital was closed down and the buildings demolished. It was then discovered that there were two old cesspits nearby which had been the cause of the outbreak. A new hospital was built on the site; it was opened in 1895 and extended a year later. In 1911 a much improved out-patients department was opened.

In 1948 it became part of the newly formed National Health Service and was in the London (Teaching) Regional Health Board and under the administration of the Saint Mary's Hospital Management Committee. With NHS reorganisation in 1974 it became part of the North West London Regional Health Authority under the North West (Teaching) District Health Authority. In 1982 the District Health Authorities were redrawn and Paddington Green was now in Paddington and North Kensington. In 1987 the hospital closed when its facilities were transferred to the new Saint Mary's Hospital at Paddington.