The birth of St James Hospital The workhouse continued to shelter the poor and infirm until 1930 when the Bedwellty Union and its Board of Guardians were abolished. The building now became known as the County Infirmary, Tredegar and was now run by Monmouthshire County Council. Following the National Health Service Act 1946 which came into effect in 1948, the County Infirmary was renamed St James Hospital under the North Monmouthshire Hospital Management Committee. At this time it: “was in need of major investment to meet the demands of a contemporary hospital” The hospital also still provided shelter for those who were not requiring medical care. There was a chronic shortage of nursing staff which resulted in general and maternity beds being closed in the 1950s. A campaign was launched to recruit and re-train nursing staff. A new operating theatre was open in 1963 will help from General Surgeon Mr. J S. McConnachie, the hospital took on acute care with surgical beds, a pathology department and dispensary service. In 1969 the building of the new Nevill Hall Hospital first phase was completed the surgical beds were transferred there from St James Hospital leaving medical and maternity beds. The second phase of Nevill Hall Hospital was completed in 1970 and St James Hospital’s maternity beds were also transferred. End of an era The hospital closed in 1976 and was demolished in 1979. Today the site is a housing estate known as St James Park. See also Bedwellty References Workhouses in Wales Tredegar History of Blaenau Gwent Demolished buildings and structures in Wales Buildings and structures demolished in 1979