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The HISTORY of REDDITCH New Town

Hospitals and Health Services

The proposed population size of Redditch New Town necessitated that the existing
Smallwood hospital be replaced and a site in Woodrow south was earmarked for the
development of such a facility.
By 1970 the Smallwood Hospital had been expanded from 32 to 42 beds but no date had
yet been given for the programmed 900-bed General Hospital, and it was now evident
that with the increasing population and industry there was an urgent demand on the
maternity and casualty units now serving Redditch.
The difficulties arising from the relocation of medical and dental practices situated in the
first phase of town centre development had partly been resolved but the planned reliance
on town centre practices to serve Woodrow, and the consequent lack of a surgery and
chemist in Woodrow, was causing some difficulties. It was planned that the latter would
be partially resolved with the opening of the local Woodrow shopping centre in April of
1970 and a child welfare clinic in June, 1970, which would use the new Meeting Hall.

Matchborough had been classified as a
“designated area " and a doctor had
been appointed to this practice as from
1st September, 1970, concurrently with
the arrival of the first residents. Two
houses were temporarily converted for
use as a health centre as from
September, 1970 and arrangements had
been made for prescriptions to be
dispensed. The establishment of a
dental practice was also under active
discussion.
By 1973 the Birmingham Regional
Hospital Board had published its design
for the proposed District General
Hospital in Redditch. This provided for
703 beds, including a Geriatric and
Psychiatric Annexe and facilities for 120
day places. The new Smallwood Health
Centre became operational in June,
1972 and, apart from the General
Medical Practitioner Services, it also
housed the Area County Health Offices,
the Area Social Services Department
and the Education Department. The
design of the Winyates Health Centre
was at an advanced stage and it was
planned that building would commence
in August, 1973.

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