Origins and Early Years of St Crispin Hospital

St Crispin Hospital opened in 1876, to offer mental health services to Northamptonshire and beyond. The huge ‘asylums’ of Victorian times represented a very large investment of resources in helping people with psychiatric problems. For example, St Crispin occupied a very sizeable site, with grand buildings and complete with a chapel and farm of its own. The word ‘asylum’ was intended to represent the ideal of Victorian philanthropists in offering a place of safety and care.

Expansion and Modernization

In the early Twentieth Century, St Crispin’s underwent a significant expansion and modernization. New buildings were constructed and capacity greatly expanded. New medical therapies and treatments were also being developed. Patients had always been expected to work and to support the institution, for example on the farm or in the sewing room. However, at this time the idea of occupational therapy was introduced, with the aim of teaching meaningful skills and giving self-confidence. St. Crispin’s was at the forefront of this movement, and occupational therapy became a key component of its care.

Challenges and Controversies

However, the asylums became associated with many problems. For example, sometimes people who had become inconvenient to their families, but were not necessarily ‘ill,’ were sent there. It also became recognised that segregation from the community was far from ideal, because people became separated from their families, and there was a danger of them becoming ‘institutionalised’ and totally dependent upon the asylum.

With the advent of modern treatments such as effective drugs and other approaches such as ‘talking therapies,’ the national move for ‘Care in the Community’ gained momentum in the 1980s and became government policy. Needless to say, finances were involved too. The aim was to release the huge resources invested in the asylums, to fund the NHS in general, and modern facilities for mental health in particular. The hope was to keep people nearer to their families, and to allow them dignity and the chance to take their place in society.

Redevelopment

The hospital was closed in stages, finally shutting its doors in 1995. Considerable resources have been redirected to more community-based services and staffing. The modern Berrywood hospital was purpose built to the latest specifications, on part of the St Crispin site.