Docomomo International is now appealing to your foremost interest and concern regarding the situation of the Finsbury Health Centre.
The building, opened in 1938 and now listed Grade I, is recognized internationally as a beacon of social and architectural progress that anticipated the foundation of the NHS by a clear decade. The building was largely the brainchild of two immigrants, Dr. Chuni Katial (1898-1978) a local ward councillor and chairman of Finsbury Council’s Public Health Committee, and architect Berthold Lubetkin (1901-1990) who had arrived in England in 1931 after experiencing the Russian Revolution and being fired with visions of modern architecture’s transforming potential.
Designed to be adaptable to changing healthcare requirements, Finsbury Health Centre served as a casualty station during the war and has continued in daily use as a community health facility ever since, assimilating a variety of modifications over the years. It currently accommodates two GP practices and provides a range of other services as part of the Whittington Health NHS Trust. It has however suffered the effects of numerous changes of ownership and management under the continuous re-organization of the NHS, most recently being taken over by NHS Property Services Ltd (NHS PropCo) following the Health & Social Care Act 2012.
As a result of these constant upheavals Finsbury Health Centre has had minimal maintenance or investment over many years. This has become a cause for increasing local concern and, following a successful campaign to prevent the sale of the building, prompted the formation of the Finsbury Health Centre Preservation Trust to secure its future in beneficial NHS use. The last significant work to the building was undertaken by Avanti Architects in the mid-1990s with repairs to the roof, concrete structure and parts of the façade. In addition to essential fabric repairs and renewal of engineering services, there is now a pressing need for interior upgrade and adaptations, including a lift installation – all modifications that are entirely feasible within conservation protocols due to the inherent flexibility of the original plans. Outline proposals have been prepared for the necessary works, which after consultation with key stakeholders could readily be developed towards a fully costed scheme. A Conservation Plan documenting the heritage significance of the building is also in place to guide the detailed design work.
All that is lacking is a commitment to implement the required project. The FHC Preservation Trust has had regular but inconclusive meetings over several years with NHS PropCo in order to progress matters, and has also had encouraging discussions with the Heritage Lottery Fund regarding potential grant funding.
Additionally English Heritage/ Historic England has signalled its support for an informed restoration/ adaptation project that would remove the Centre from its Buildings-at-Risk list. Moreover, there is a clear ongoing demand for such a healthcare facility in this part of the borough, which with anticipated housing development at nearby Mount Pleasant is only likely to intensify. In short, all factors point to the logic of investing in Finsbury Health Centre now, and to this end the Preservation Trust remains committed to contributing its expertise and assistance. We entreat all concerned to use their endeavors and influence to help bring about the necessary restoration project. With such long overdue support Finsbury Health Centre can continue to serve its local community and stand – in the words of Lubetkin’s biographer – “as a working monument to British social policy at its most gloriously enlightened.”
Information provided by Finsbury Health Centre Preservation Trust
