Bangour Village Hospital

Bangour Village Hospital was a psychiatric hospital located in the village of Dechmont, in West Lothian, Scotland. It was opened in 1906 and operated until its closure in 2004. The hospital was designed on the village asylum model, which was innovative at the time of its construction. This model aimed to provide a self-contained community for the care of mental health patients, with a focus on therapeutic landscapes and a homely environment to aid in the treatment of its residents.

History

The hospital was initially established to accommodate the overflow of patients from the Edinburgh asylums, reflecting the broader early 20th-century trend towards the expansion of mental health facilities. The design of Bangour Village Hospital was influenced by the garden city movement, which emphasized green spaces and a community-oriented layout to promote health and well-being. The hospital's layout included multiple villas, which housed patients, set in a large, landscaped estate. This arrangement was intended to provide a calming and restorative environment, conducive to the recovery of the patients.

During both World Wars, the hospital was requisitioned as a military hospital, reflecting its adaptability and the expansive nature of its facilities. In World War I, it served as the Edinburgh War Hospital, providing care for soldiers injured in the conflict. Similarly, in World War II, it was again used to treat military personnel.

Closure and Aftermath

By the late 20th century, the approach to mental health treatment had shifted away from institutional care towards community-based services. This change, coupled with the aging infrastructure of the hospital, led to the gradual reduction of services and eventual closure of Bangour Village Hospital in 2004. Since its closure, the site has attracted interest for various redevelopment proposals, including housing and business parks, though many of the original buildings remain, some in a state of disrepair. The hospital's architecture and history have made it a subject of local and historical interest, and it has been used as a filming location, most notably for the 2005 film The Jacket.

Preservation and Legacy

Efforts to preserve the site have been complicated by its size and the condition of the buildings. However, the hospital's historical significance and its role in the development of psychiatric care in Scotland have been recognized. There have been calls to maintain some of the buildings for their architectural and historical value, particularly those that are examples of early 20th-century asylum architecture.

The story of Bangour Village Hospital reflects broader trends in the treatment of mental health and the evolution of psychiatric care. Its history offers insights into the changing attitudes towards mental illness and the care of those affected by it.

See Also

• History of psychiatric institutions
• Garden city movement
• World War I
• World War II