Victoria Hospital for Children , Chelsea x South Western Hospital for Children

Victoria Hospital for Children , Chelsea x South Western Hospital for Children

The Victoria Hospital for Children opened in 1866 as 'The South Western Hospital for Children'. It was located at Gough House, Queen's Road West, Chelsea and managed initially by a committee chaired by Mr B. R. Green.

Increasing numbers of patients led to the committee seeking improved accommodation. Money was raised to purchase the freehold of Gough House along with some additional land, and to redevelop and enlarge the hospital. The extension opened in 1876. In the same year, a house in Margate, Kent was made available for use as a convalescent facility. In 1877, the Metropolitan Board of Works offered the hospital some additional land to the front and rear of Gough House as part of its plans to establish a new street to be named Tite Street. The committee purchased this land for future developments. In 1891, patroness of the hospital, Princess Louise opened a new convalescent home in Broadstairs, Kent.

During the First World War, part of the hospital was assigned as the 2nd London General Hospital, but by 1916, it was fully functioning again as a paediatric hospital. In 1922, the hospital opened Princess Mary Home for private patients in a house next to the hospital. During the Second World War, the outpatient department was used as a casualty and decontamination centre. The inpatient services were transferred to hospitals at Windsor, Berkshire and Park Prewett, Basingstoke, Hampshire.

With the introduction of the National Health Service in 1948, Victoria Hospital for Children became part of the Saint George's Hospital Teaching Group of the South West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board. In 1964, the hospital was closed and its activities transferred to Saint George's Hospital in Tooting.

The hospital has been administered by the following:

1866 - 1948: Victoria Hospital for Children

1948 - 1964: Saint George's Hospital Teaching Group of South West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board.