1850

Published: 12 November 2022

Sir Lawrence Palk and his brother, Lord Haldon, donated a site on Higher Union Street to become the first Torbay Hospital. The foundation stone for the new hospital was laid in 1850 and the building finished in 1853.

The hospital was established as a voluntary hospital which meant that it was provided and maintained by voluntary funds. Local people either paid a weekly contribution as a member or paid an entrance fee when they were admitted (and then became a weekly paying member).