Statute Law Repeals - Law Commission - Ministry of Justice

Samaritan Free Hospital for Women
1.115 The Samaritan Hospital for Women was founded in January 1847 159 “for the
reception of poor women afflicted with diseases incidental to their sex and to
afford without letters of recommendation medical and surgical attendance to sick
women and children.” 160 The hospital moved to the Marylebone Road in central
London in 1890.
1.116 The principal purpose of the Samaritan Free Hospital for Women Act 1933 161 was
to authorise the hospital to maintain separate wards for patients who were able
and willing to pay fees for their medical treatment. The 1933 Act also authorised
the hospital to charge such patients such fees as were specified by the Charity
Commissioners. The 1933 Act became unnecessary as a result of the Voluntary
Hospitals (Paying Patients) Act 1936 162 which authorised voluntary hospitals
(such as the Samaritan Hospital) to provide accommodation and treatment for
paying patients. The hospital became absorbed by the National Health Service in
1948 and closed in 1997 when its functions were taken over by St Mary’s
Hospital, Paddington. Accordingly the 1933 Act is now obsolete.
Prince of Wales’s Hospital, Plymouth
1.117 The purpose of the Prince of Wales’s Hospital Plymouth Act 1934 163 was to
amalgamate three Plymouth hospitals (the South Devon and East Cornwall, the
Royal Albert and the Central) and to establish a corporation of the amalgamated
hospitals, to be known as the Prince of Wales’s Hospital Plymouth.
1.118 The arrangements set up by the 1934 Act became unnecessary when the three
hospitals became absorbed by the National Health Service in 1948. 164 Moreover
each of the three hospitals amalgamated by the 1934 Act has since closed. The
Central Hospital (later known as the Homeopathic Hospital or the Lockyer Street
Hospital) closed in 1977. The Royal Albert Hospital became the Devonport
section of the Plymouth General Hospital in 1963 and closed in 1981 when the
new Derriford Hospital opened. The South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital
(which later became known as the Greenbank Hospital) closed during the 1990s.
Accordingly the 1934 Act is now obsolete and may be repealed.
159
Originally known as the Gynepathic Institute Free Hospital, the hospital was established in
Gray Street, Manchester Square in London.
160 Samaritan Free Hospital for Women Act 1933 (23 & 24 Geo.5 c.xc), preamble.
161 23 & 24 Geo.5 c.xc.
162 26 Geo.5 & 1 Edw.8 c.17.
163 24 & 25 Geo.5 c.lii.
164 By virtue of the National Health Service Act 1946, s 6 and the National Health Service Act
(Appointed Day) Order 1948 (SI 1948 No 112) all voluntary hospital and all hospitals
belonging to local authorities were (with certain exceptions) transferred to and vested in
the Minister of Health on 5 July 1948.
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