A History of Selly Oak Hospital

Valerie Arthur worked for many years at Selly Oak Hospital in the Rheumatology Department, which was based in former workhouse buildings. On learning that the hospital was due to be decommissioned and eventually demolished, Valerie set out to discover and record the history of this interesting, local landmark.

Archive material found in the Birmingham City Library, census records and historical documents loaned to the author have been used to describe the development of the King’s Norton Union Workhouse into Selly Oak Hospital which eventually became part of today’s University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. Details of the role of the Poor Law Board of Guardians give the background for the workhouse days, whilst information gleaned from oral histories provides insight into hospital life during the 20th Century.

This book will be of interest to former hospital staff and patients, local inhabitants and students of social history.