THIS week’s Nostalgia looks at the history of the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl.

The hospital dates back to 1872, when a house on East Parade was converted into a convalescent home for sick and needy children.

As demand for places grew, the Baths Hotel was bought and became the Children’s Hospital and Convalescent Home.

In 1882, Princess Alexandra of Wales became a patron of the hospital and it was named The Royal Alexandra Hospital.

North Wales Pioneer: Nurses at the hospital. Photo: Rhyl History ClubNurses at the hospital. Photo: Rhyl History Club (Image: Rhyl History Club)

The need for more space and accommodation once again became necessary and a new site was acquired, with the building opened in 1902 by Prince George and Princess Mary.

The many balconies (now filled in) on the building were an integral part of the “fresh air treatment” favoured by medical practitioners of the day, and the hospital soon became a general one after the construction of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd in 1980.

It then became home to a geriatric unit and community wards led by General Practitioners (family doctors).

In 2009, the wards were closed, but out-patient, physiotherapy, X-ray and administration departments are still housed there.

North Wales Pioneer: The Gertrude Ffoulkes ward. Photo: Rhyl History ClubThe Gertrude Ffoulkes ward. Photo: Rhyl History Club (Image: Rhyl History Club)