Unit History: Duchess of Kent Military Hospital Catterick
The Duchess of Kent Military Hospital (DKMH Catterick) in Yorkshire was a large army hospital and training facility for pupil nurses (SEN - State Enrolled Nurse) and ward stewardess’ (later called health care assistants).
DKMH Catterick opened on the 6 October 1976 and replaced an old hutted hospital from the pre World War Two era .
This new Duchess of Kent Military Hospital cost ?3 million to build. It closed on the 1 July 1999 after a review of the Army Medical Services though a psychiatric unit remained which provided 20 in patient beds and an out patient department. No sectioned patients were admitted and these were cared for at NHS secure units. There was another defence review by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in the year 2001 which resulted in the Duchess of Kent’s Psychiatric Unit closing.
DKMH Catterick opened on the 6 October 1976 and replaced an old hutted hospital from the pre World War Two era .
This new Duchess of Kent Military Hospital cost ?3 million to build. It closed on the 1 July 1999 after a review of the Army Medical Services though a psychiatric unit remained which provided 20 in patient beds and an out patient department. No sectioned patients were admitted and these were cared for at NHS secure units. There was another defence review by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in the year 2001 which resulted in the Duchess of Kent’s Psychiatric Unit closing.
Memories of Duchess of Kent Military Hospital Catterick
(Memories written by members of Forces Reunited)
Duchess of Kent Military Hospital Catterick in 2010
Written by Jim Flood
Correction on the history of DKMH. The Miltary Hospital was first established in Catterick Camp in 1915, on land purchased from Crake Dub Farm, Hipswell. The originsl hospital buildings remained in service, with alterations, until DKMH was completed in the Summer of 1976. Catterick Miltary Hospital was, during the years of WW1, the largest military hospital in terms of beds with over 1000 beds available on the site. Much larger than the more "permanenT" military hospital such as CMH Aldershot and RHH Woolwich. Not bad for a temporary hospital which served for over 60 years. I researched the history whilst serving there for the second time, (I served there 4 times in my 26 year career). This was published in the Garrison magazine in 1983/84