National Health, The

The film opens with views of the run down and poorly equipped Princess Maria of Battenberg Hospital. The Red Barracks on Frances Street in Woolwich SE18. The background tower blocks also feature in 'The Silent Playground'.

Completed in 1860, the Red Barracks was originally an infirmary for the Royal Marines.

Taken from just inside the former entrance by Keith Prested (KP).

A short title sequence ends with Mr. Loach being admitted to the depressing Sir Stafford Cripps Ward. The Red Barracks was decommissioned by the British Army in 1967.

Keith Prested (KP) explains that the area just inside the perimeter wall is now taken up by private gardens attached to the 'backs' of the houses, however, the tree may be a survivor.

Orderly Mr. Barnet turns on the television in the staff room to find a soap opera just starting. Greenwich District Hospital at the corner of Vanbrugh Hill and Woolwich Road SE10 which had opened in 1972.

This mainly residential building now occupies the northern part of the site on which the Greenwich District Hospital previously stood. The new development extends quite a long way up Vanbrugh Hill and Keith wasn't able to find any plans or maps showing where the main entrance used to be. However, whilst taking photos he spoke to a lady who said she was born in the hospital and had lived locally all her life. She advised that the entrance was in the part of the building close to the junction with Woolwich Road, and this is what Keith captured. KP

The pristine ambulance comes to a halt at the entrance to Mount Verdant Hospital where a team of smartly dressed Staff calmly take care of the new patient. Greenwich District Hospital on Vanbrugh Hill, Maze Hill in Greenwich. The hospital closed after less than 30 years in 2001 and was demolished in 2006.

The bus takes the approximate place of the ambulance, although the actual entrance to the hospital appears to have been at a higher level. KP

Following the passing of Dr. Rees, a stroke patient, Mr. Barnet (Jim Dale) and Les (Don Hawkins) wheel the body across to the mortuary. Facing north-east inside the Red Barracks on Frances Street in Woolwich.

Standing adjacent to the end house on Whitby Road, Keith Prested took this comparison.

Amnesiac Edward Loach (Colin Blakely) shows Mervyn Ash (Clive Swift) proof of who he is as they walk outside the hospital.

Mr. Ash follows Mr. Loach as he moans about having to "take the cure" and being told to give up smoking. Facing one of the four tower blocks on Frances Road SE18 from the grounds of the Red Barracks.

When consultant Mr. Carr (Donald Sinden) arrives, a Concierge steps forwards to open the door of his Bentley S2. The Red Barracks in Woolwich.

With no elevation and not a lot to look at, Keith Prested tells us that private gardens lie behind the brick wall.

On the draughty balcony outside the ward, Desmond Foster (Bob Hoskins) listens as Mr. Mackie (David Hutcheson) wishes for an overdose of the right drugs to end his life. The Red Barracks with the tower of Woolwich fire station on Sunbury Street in the top right distance.

Mr. Barnet, the Mortuary Attendant (Richie Stewart) and Les look down at the recently departed Mr. Mackie. Despite being a listed building, the Red Barracks was demolished in 1975.

Whilst wheeling Mr. Foster's body to the morgue, Mr. Barnet watches an ambulance arrive. Looking through the gates of the Red Barracks towards Biddulph House at the junction of Frances Street and Samuel Street in Woolwich SE18.

Keith Prested's view shows the original stone pillars either side of the entrance are still in place as is Biddulph House across the road.

At the soap-opera's All Saints church, the marriage between Dr. Boyd and Staff Nurse Norton takes place. The spire of St. John the Evangelist church on Stratheden Road in SE3.

No change here . . . as expected. KP

Nurse Betty Martin (Lynn Redgrave) appears from the church. Facing St. John the Evangelist church on Stratheden Road, Blackheath.

No wedding in progress allows for a clearer view. KP

Dr. Neil Boyd (Jim Dale) and his bride Nurse Cleo Norton (Sheila Scott Wilkinson) sprint towards their waiting limousine. The west front of St. John the Evangelist church.

Slightly off angle to avoid parked cars. KP

When Betty catches the brides bouquet, surgeon Johnny Monk (Neville Aurelius) has a though before following her to a waiting car. Properties on Stratheden Road in Blackheath SE3 cross the background.

More parked vehicles. KP