Royal Alexandra Hospital, Rhyl


The Royal Alexandra Hospital is a community hospital in Rhyl, Denbighshire, Wales. It is managed by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The hospital is a Grade II listed building.

History

The hospital has its origins in a convalescent home for sick and needy children established on East Parade in 1872. It moved to the Baths building in 1873 and was renamed the Royal Alexandra Hospital in 1882. Piecemeal expansions occurred until the site for the present building was purchased.
The present building was designed by Alfred Waterhouse, perhaps with later input from his son, Paul, as a children's hospital and convalescent home. The hospital design, which was based on a pavilion incorporating open balconies and verandahs, responded to the importance then attached to fresh air as a treatment. Funding came from voluntary subscription, the town council and the Duke of Westminster. Construction started in 1899 and it was officially opened by Prince George and Princess Mary in 1902. An additional east wing was added to the original central and west wings between 1908 and 1910.
After acute services transferred to Glan Clwyd Hospital, the Royal Alexandra Hospital became a specialist geriatric facility in 1980. Inpatient services were discontinued in 2009.
In May 2020 Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board released plans for a new community hospital as part of a wider refurbishment programme.