Current condition of the Dispensary and Hermitage

Dispensary

Up until January 2011 when the Dispensary was closed and vacated, it had been in full clinical use, accommodating the dermatology clinic on the Southgate level and offices on the top floor. During the 1970s and 80s it had been the Accident and Emergency Department, until the new A&E on Friarwood Lane was opened by Princess Anne in 1991. The rest of PGI closed in March 2011 when major hospital services were centralised at the new Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield. PGI was quickly demolished to neutralise local pressure opposed to closure of the Infirmary. The Dispensary was preserved because it is on the Council’s list of notable buildings, is in a conservation area and contains the Grade I Hermitage in its basement. All the extensions at the back of the building were demolished, leaving the south facing aspect an exposed eyesore and vulnerable to unauthorised access. The Mid Yorkshire Trust was in breach of the requirements of the planning permission given for the demolition, which had required restoration of the rear of the building, but the NHS has not found the necessary funds. During the 10 years it has been empty the building has deteriorated because of vandalism: the inside completely trashed and part of the roof open to the elements, which has allowed pigeon infestation. The building has now been secured with metal sheeting and a tall metal fence at the back but will continue to deteriorate until the roof is repaired.

Hermitage

The Hermitage suffered decades of neglect, used for storage up until the early 1970s when the Pontefract Archaeological Society (Pontarc) undertook to clear it out. With permission of the hospital’s management, Pontarc subsequently took on the stewardship responsibility for the Hermitage, conducting monthly tours during the summer months. This continued until 2009 when the visits were stopped because of concern about the rising level of water in the Hermitage well. In 2008 work had begun lower down the Friarwood Valley to build the new Pontefract Hospital and this had involved the construction of a retaining wall which interfered with the water flow through the aquifer in the hillside, causing the water level in the Hermitage well to rise significantly. In 2011 the Mid Yorkshire Trust installed two pumps in the well to control the water level and pumping continued until 2019 when they were switched off but remained in place. The water level in the well, which previously had always been confined to the shallow basin at the bottom of the stone-cut staircase, has risen to the 4th step of the stone staircase, but remains stable. Since 2008 when the raised water level was first apparent, there have been several hydrology assessments and differing opinions as to remedial action needed to control the water level, but the funding to pay for the work required has not be found by the Mid Yorkshire Trust. The eventual development of the demolition site will require drainage to be installed, and this will need to take into account the water problem affecting the Hermitage well. In addition to the water problem, the Hermitage does require a full archaeological assessment, and some restoration work will be needed. There is also a problem with surface water draining into the entrance of the Hermitage from the footpath above, causing the area to be very wet, and this needs urgent action.

The Dispensary building and the Hermitage it contains, are valuable assets belonging to Pontefract. Both have suffered neglect by the NHS over the past 10 years and the sooner this unique historical asset can be transferred to community ownership, the better. In defence of the NHS, its prime function is providing healthcare, not managing heritage sites, however the 10 years delay in deciding the future of the site has cost the NHS money and has caused serious deterioration of the asset.