Building work was undertaken by H. Arnold and Sons and the foundation stone was dated 1935.

[1] The placename 'Suttons' was an old manor in Hornchurch, believed to refer to the location south of the main settlement.

[2][3] The initial primary use was as a home for the elderly, with provision for children, nursing mothers and psychiatric care.

[1] It was used as residential accommodation for airmen based at nearby RAF Hornchurch during the Second World War.

[1] Following the National Health Service Act 1946 it joined the National Health Service as St George's Hospital under the control of the Romford Group Hospital Management Committee in 1948.