We were both born in the same place, baz !!!!
I lived for the first two years of my life in the same road as the hospital (Lordship Road). The hospital closed in 1974 but the site is now occupied by a health centre. I went to St Mary's Primary school also in Lordhip Road (most of my friends went to William Patten in Church Street). Small world.
Your description of the area is very appropriate. I haven't been there for about six months but the last time I visited, despite the chic gentrification of Church Street, overall the area (including Dalston) is indeed an utter khazi.