Changi Hospital

Changi Hospital was a hospital in Changi, Singapore.

Information

The Hospital was built in 1935 to complement other installations in Changi, which was then a military base to defend the eastern coastal side of the Johor Straits. The hospital was commissioned and named the Royal Air Force (RAF) Hospital. It served the Royal Engineers in Kitchener Barracks, the Royal Artillery in Roberts Barracks and the Gordon Highlanders in Selarang Camp.

In the years of the Japanese Occupation, the compound was used as a large prison camp. Facilities were deemed inadequate and Changi Hospital shifted to Roberts Barracks. The hospital moved back to its original premises following the end of the war. This arrangement continued until Singapore claimed independence in 1965. The British commenced a gradual withdrawal of their military presence. The hospital was re-named ANZUK Hospital in 1971 after the Commonwealth Forces, and served ANZUK (Australian, New Zealand, United Kingdom) servicemen. ANZUK was disbanded in 1975, and it was renamed the UK Military Hospital. In December of the same year, the British withdrew the last of their troops and the Hospital was handed over to the Singapore Armed Forces. The SAF Hospital catered to medical care of SAF personnel and their immediate family. Gradually, service was extended to members of the public.

The SAF Hospital merged with Changi Chalet Hospital in 1976 and renamed Changi Hospital, after the former was handed over to the Ministry of Health. This arrangement lasted until 15th December 1997, when Changi Hospital was merged with Toa Payoh Hospital to form Changi General Hospital.

The vacated compound was popular with film-makers after the Singapore Land Authority commenced short term rental of the buildings. Prominent local series such as Growing Up, Crime Hunters and Incredible Tales were filmed at the now abandoned hospital. Around this time, Old Changi Hospital, as it is popularly known, was declared to be one of the most haunted buildings in Singapore. The derelict buildings and its reputation were the basis for the mockumentary Haunted Changi.

In 2006, the SLA put up the site for commercial lease. The tender was won by Bestway Properties, which proposed to build a luxurious spa-resort by the first half of 2008. The project fell through and was never commenced, and the land was returned to the State in 2010.