Tooting Bec Hospital

Tooting Bec Asylum was established in 1903 by the Metropolitan Asylums Board. It was built to relieve pressure on Leavesden and Caterham Asylums which had resulted in adults being admitted to Darenth Schools. The location was specifically intended for older patients to be nearer family and friends. The first phase, which accommodated about 1,000 patients, was followed by a second phase of an extra 900 beds which eventually opened in 1925. After 1930 the LCC ran the hospital until 1948 and the establishment of the National Health Service. The Hospital was closed in July 1995. The service and additional records were later inherited by the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust (as of 2005).