The hospital has it origins in the Dock and Stonehouse Public Dispensary established in Chapel Street, Devonport in 1815.

[1] This facility became too small and a new hospital was sponsored by Dr Thomas Woolcombe in the 1850s.

[1] The foundation stone for the new hospital was laid by the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe in June 1862.

[1] It was designed by Alfred Norman in the Italianate style and built by Messrs Jenkin and Hallett on New Passage Hill.

[2] On joining the National Health Service in 1948, it became the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital (Devonport).