The Main Ward Block in 1975

1975 was the year that the Main Ward Block started being used as a hospital building for the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital. The 11 storey unit was completed the previous year. The first wards opened in September. After 4 years of construction and preparation for usage the new Main Block was finally in use. This was a huge step forward for the hospital.

Circa March 1975 - Commissioning period starts
In around March 1975, a commissioning period started, such a period is to make sure the building is in perfect working order ready for usage. During this time equipment was probably moved in as well as beds transported up the lifts and taken to the wards, and shelving installed in storerooms and medicine rooms.

In August 1975, a few minor modifications to the curtain rails in the Children's Ward on the 8th floor took place. This was just weeks before the new unit was ready for usage.

July 1975 - Main Ward Block is handed to the NHS
The builders handed over the new towerblock to the hospital in early July 1975. RG Carter, the said builders had finished their work on the new extension to the Norfolk And Norwich Hospital. This was reported in the Norwich Evening News on 7th July 1975. Usage was still 2 months away.

September 1975-first wards open
On the 15th September 1975, the first wards to be opened was the private wards on the top floor and the orthopaedic wards which were on the 2nd floor. The MWB had over 600 beds in it. Over the next year the remaining still vacant wards were gradually filled up. The much needed Main Ward Block was finally up and running. The new towerblock was seen as one of the most modern hospital buildings in the country. Christmas 1975 was the first Christmas that patients were being treated in the new towerblock.

Once the new towerblock was open, several other areas of the hospital were converted to other medical usage. Many of the staff were transferred to the new Main Ward Block.

Prev year in existence - The Main Ward Block in 1974

Next year in existence - The Main Ward Block in 1976