St Tydfil's Hospital

Saint Tydfil's Hospital (Welsh: Ysbyty Sant Tydfil) in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales (at grid reference SO051064) started out life as part of the old Merthyr Workhouse, which was built in 1853. At this time it was known as 'The Infirmary', a name that it informally retained well into the latter part of the 20th century. It consisted of four men's rooms, four women's rooms, one 'lying-in' ward (maternity) and two recovery rooms. There was accommodation for 65 patients. A house surgeon was appointed in 1853 with a salary of £25. A nurse and porter (husband and wife), were also appointed. 1865 saw the appointment of an assistant nurse. By 1863, two nurseries and an 'Idiot Ward' were also available.

Map of St Tydfils Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 0SJ, UK

A new Infirmary building was erected in 1867. Ample accommodation was now available for the sick, with special fever wards. Two large and two small rooms were added for that purpose. Two paid nurses were employed. A syphilitic ward was provided in 1882. In 1906 a new children's block was built, and additional wards were erected in 1910. This was called 'A' Block and known as Saint Paul's Ward. It originally housed male geriatric bedridden cases and also a small number of male patients certified for detention under the Mental Deficiency Act.

Today the hospital is known as Saint Tydfil's Hospital. It has seven wards and a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit. It has two adult psychiatry wards, Cwmdare and Dowlais, and two old age psychiatry wards, Trecynon and Penderyn. In addition it houses three medical rehabilitation wards, Morlais, Glyndwr and Cyfarthfa. The site incorporates a Crisis Assessment suite with a home treatment team, which was set up in December 2007 and Ty Hafod (Hafod House) is home to the Assertive Outreach Team. It also houses the Trust's finance and payroll departments.

St Tydfil's has recently become part of the new Cwm Taf NHS Trust, following the merger of the North Glamorgan and Pontypridd and Rhondda NHS trusts.