In my investigation of Mental Health in Worcestershire 1780 to 1980, the only humanitarian action by Officialdom came, following the County Asylums’ Act in 1845 (8 & 9 Vict, 126), when the Worcestershire County Authorities were forced to open a Pauper Lunatic Asylum. Prior to the opening of Powick Asylum, the Worcester City and County Parishes had sent their pauper patients to 3 Private Madhouses; fortunately, all of which were of good quality. This was in stark contrast to much of the rest of England and Wales, where all too often, the madhouses used were scandalously poor. The Private Asylum at Droitwich, founded in about 1780, by William Ricketts, was regarded as one of the best such establishments in England. William Ricketts himself, gave evidence to a Parliamentary Commission, in 1816, when he had roundly criticised most Private Madhouses in England, including the New Bethlehem Asylum, Bedlam. He particularly criticised the treatment of James Norris, who had been strapped to a vertical iron bar in the wall of his cell for over 15 years. William Ricketts stated that he would never have treated a patient in this way. His evidence, in part, eventually led to the passing of the 1845 County Asylums’ Act, and to the creation of the City and County of Worcester Pauper Lunatic Asylum, at Powick, that opened on 11th August 1852. This is the starting point for the Special Event we are holding on 17th July 2023. Please come along to this Event and learn more.
Dr. Frank Crompton.
25th April 2023.
Book your ticket here:- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/evening-of-talks-redressing-the-balance-powick-mental-hospital-1852-1978-tickets-618942512717