South Ockendon Hospital (known locally as The Colony) was a hospital for patients with severe learning difficulties and for patients with major and rare mental health illnesses in South Ockendon, Essex, England.

The site acquired for the hospital, which once formed part of the South Ockendon Hall estate, was known as Little Mollands Farm.

[1][2] It joined the National Health Service in 1948 when it was renamed the South Ockendon Hospital.

[1] In 1974 an employee at the hospital anonymously sent Barbara Robb, a campaigner for the well-being of elderly people, pages torn from a ward report book, describing severe injuries probably inflicted by staff on a patient.

Robb's personal involvement and persistence was recognized by Barbara Castle, Secretary of State for Health and Social Services.