Address: 5 Duncombe Place, York, YO1 7EF (now Gray’s Solicitors)
Description
On Duncombe Place, adjacent to the York Minster, a gothic-style stone sign carved with the words “Patients Entrance” is set against a backdrop of red brick.
History
The York Dispensary, founded in 1788 within the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, was a beacon of charitable healthcare in its day.
They offering free treatment to impoverished patients and even conducting home visits when required.
It relocated in 1808 to a house on St Andrewgate and then to a dedicated building on New Street in 1829.
However, by 1899, the dispensary had outgrown its premises and moved to a larger facility on Duncombe Place, designed by Edmund Kirby and constructed for £6,000.
The ‘York Dispensary’ carving on the other side of the building
This red-bricked building, now housing Grays Solicitors, features an arched entrance and a carved stone panel showing the inscription “York Dispensary”.
On another side of the building, there’s an arched carriage entrance with wrought iron gates bearing the words “Patients Enterance”
1860 – York Dispensary on the left Source: York Press
The dispensary was a critical part of York’s healthcare system, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, providing dentistry and maternity services.
The latter aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. In its heyday, about 10% of York’s population visited the dispensary each year.
However, the facility closed in 1948 with the establishment of the National Health Service, later serving as a city-run health service centre.
The building earned its Grade II listing in 1975, reflecting its historical and architectural significance. Inside, the original dispensary and office staircases remain intact, along with various doors, architraves, and cornices.
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