Rookwood Hospital

Rookwood Hospital is a rehabilitation hospital situated in Llandaff, in the city of Cardiff in South Wales. It is the site of one of only twelve spinal rehab units in whole of United Kingdom. It is also a regional neuro-rehabilitation hospital as well as housing a geriatric day hospital, a geriatric intermediate care facility (Media:ECAS - Elderly Care Assessment Service) and a geriatric medicine rehabilitation ward. The largest of Cardiff's Parkinson's Disease services is also run from Rookwood Hospital. The hospital is managed by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Rookwood Hospital is also the home to Rookwood Sound Hospital Radio which broadcasts at the site and to the University Hospital Llandough and is where Radio DJ Huw Stephens began his career at 14.

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History

Rookwood was built in the year 1886 by the late Colonel Sir Edward Hill, for his own occupation and he, and subsequently Lady Hill, lived there until 1917.

The name

The name 'Rookwood' was given to the house during its course of construction by Lady Hill. Before her marriage she was brought to see the building operations 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.

Early Hospital

In 1918 , Rookwood was taken over for convalescent home. At the end of First World War it was purchased by Sir Lawrence Phillips and presented it to the ministry as a home for Welsh Paraplegic Pensioner cases. After this it was used by the University Hospital of Wales. In 1932 it became a General Hospital after extension.

Spinal Unit

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 to ward 4 and 5 with 31 beds for Spinal Injuries and 5 beds for Amputees.

Psychologists

Rookwood has an active clinical psychology department.

Disablement Services

Rookwood is the site of one of three centres (ALACs) of the Wales Artificial Limb & Appliance Service.

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