Rookwood Hospital will be celebrating its 100th anniversary during 2018. To mark this special occasion, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) will be hosting a series of events for staff, patients, visitors and the local community.
Rookwood Hospital is a rehabilitation hospital in Llandaff, Cardiff. It is one of only twelve spinal rehab units in the UK. It is also a regional neuro-rehabilitation hospital as well as housing a geriatric day hospital, a geriatric intermediate care facility and a geriatric medicine rehabilitation ward. Cardiff’s Parkinson’s Disease services is also based at Rookwood Hospital.
The Artificial Limb and Appliance Service, The Electronic Assistive Technology Service, Headway, South Wales Mobility and Driving Assessment Service and Rookwood Sound hospital radio are all based at Rookwood Hospital.
Rookwood Hospital plays an integral part in Llandaff community life, with local residents working there, and staff, patients and visitors using the town’s facilities.
Rookwood has had an interesting and varied past. Rookwood was built in 1886 by the late Colonel Sir Edward Hill as his home, and subsequently Lady Hill, lived there until 1917.
The name ‘Rookwood’ was given to the house by Lady Hill during its construction. Before her marriage she was brought to see the building and was asked to find a suitable name for it. When she came to the property a number of rooks were flying overhead and she immediately thought of ‘Rookwood’, and decided that should be the name.
In 1918, Rookwood was taken over for use as a convalescent home.
At the end of the First World War it was purchased by Sir Lawrence Phillips and presented to the ministry as a home for Welsh paraplegic pensioner cases. Following this it was continued to be used as a hospital by Cardiff and Vale UHB.
In 1932, after building works had taken place to increase capacity, it became a general hospital.
During the 1970s and ’80s Rookwood had eight wards caring for people with spinal injuries, brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.
In 2001 the Spinal unit moved, utilising wards 4 and 5, which then provided 31 beds for spinal injuries and five beds for amputees.
To this day, Rookwood is predominantly used as a rehabilitation hospital.
Do you have any interesting stories about Rookwood you wish to share? Please email [email protected] or contact 02920 746478.
The full table of events can be found below:
| Date | Event | Outline of Event | Venue |
| 1st – 28th February | Open daily
9am – 8pm
|
Photorenga exhibition
PhotoRenga are inspired by an ancient form of Japanese poetry, in which sequences of haiku construct complex and profound renga poems. The aim of the PhotoRenga project was to produce a series of short, collective, visual renga using photography in a unique workshop format that enabled people of all abilities to take part.
The project began when members of the Cardiff & Vale Brain Injury Group produced PhotoRenga in an ongoing workshop programme started in 2010 by David Sinden. David is a Penarth-based independent photographer, arts producer, curator and educator. He survived a brain haemorrhage in 2001 and had a kidney transplant in 2015.
|
Oriel yr Aelwyd : The HeARTh Gallery. First Floor
University Hospital Llandough Penlan Road Llandough CF64 2XX
|
| Tues 13th March | Open daily | Introduction to Rookwood Hospital Arts Projects
Celebration of arts commissioned for centenary of Rookwood Hospital with pictures of the staff from Cardiff Camera Club inspired by the poem; Superheroes of Rookwood Hospital by Regan Paddock . Artist talks about creative writing, print and stitch and other projects inspired by the people who receive and provide care and kindness within a unique building.
|
Public areas, corridors of Rookwood Hospital |
| Mon 9th April | 3pm-5pm | Easter Concert inc Egg Hunt
Opportunity for all to experience an Easter service and for families to get involved in an Easter egg hunt.
|
The Chapel, Rookwood Hospital |
| Thurs 17th May | 7pm–8:30pm | May music
An evening of music to celebrate the patients, staff and community of Rookwood Hospital
|
The Recreational Hall, Rookwood Hospital |
| Tues 19th & Weds 20th June | 6pm-8pm
3pm-5pm |
Historical exhibition
An opportunity for people who have experience of Rookwood Hospital to tell their stories and contribute to a timeline, deposit and view any artefacts and be inspired by the heritage of the hospital.
|
|
| Fri 6th July | 3pm – 6pm | Celebration Fete
Fete to celebrate the community of Rookwood Hospital and Llandaff.
|
In the grounds of Rookwood Hospital |
| Fri 21st September | 12:30pm-2pm | Chill out in the Chapel
An event to promote staff wellbeing and say Thank you.
|
The Chapel, Rookwood Hospital |
| Wed 17th October until the end of October | 10pm – 4pm
and by appointment or prior agreement |
Veterans art exhibition
617 Inspirations: Artwork by Armed Forces Veterans. Collection of paintings, ceramics, sculpture and models created by members of 617 Group. The 617 Group supports veterans who have been affected by PTSD
|
The Boardroom, Rookwood Hospital |
| Sun 11th November | 10.30am – 11.30am | Remembrance service
A service to commemorate the contribution of our service men and women and to reflect the contribution of health services in the care and treatment of forces personnel
|
The Recreational Hall, Rookwood Hospital |
| Fri 23rd November | 7pm | Staff centenary celebration
|
Insole Court |
| Thurs 13th December | 2pm-2.45pm
|
Closing event – Christmas Carol service, Thank you and reflection of the year of celebration. |
The Chapel, Rookwood Hospital |
*Please note times and venues are subject to change due to the clinical requirements/ constraints of the working site
