Sandwiched between commercial complexes in Egmore, the sprawling Lady Lawley nurses quarters campus is quite a contrast to the bustle outside. The campus, which houses century-old structures, is now getting a new building – a hostel for staff nurses.
Spread over nearly seven acres, the campus houses a number of buildings which are now dilapidated. One of these structures was home to nearly 80 nursing students and 10 staff nurses till date. The Public Works Department (PWD) is now constructing a single-storey building to accommodate staff nurses at a cost of Rs. one crore.
Many of the buildings here have been abandoned and are in dire need of maintenance. Some of the inmates of the present hostel building said the structure was in a bad shape. According to Justice E. Padmanabhan Committee report, the block has been classified as ‘grade I’ heritage building.
The committee report points out that ‘A’ block of the current nurses’ quarters – consisting of two storeys – is in the classical style and consists of verandahs on the sides with large round/square columns. The wall is made of brick and lime and the roof out of madras terrace.
Recently, the director of medical education in a letter noted that the PWD had suggested that the hostel for nursing students also be part of the upcoming building instead of being built separately. This was to avoid a waste of government land. Tenders will be soon called to construct the hostel on the building that is current coming up. This would accommodate nearly 50 students. Some officials suggest that the remaining space could be used to develop a nurses’ academy or college.
