Royal College of Psychiatrists

This is an extract from the presentation given to the Royal College of Psychiatrists on 27th January 2016: It was not envisaged in 1774 that the Poor House would take people with severe mental health problems, however because of a lack of any viable alternative they felt it necessary to provide some level of care.  In January 1802 it was ordered that “2 rooms in this house be appropriated for the reception of such deranged persons as belong to & have resided 2 years, in this Town.”  Pressure was constantly applied to the Poor House to take more and more cases.  [...]