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The RHN has evolved from a Victorian institution to a modern, international centre of excellence for people with complex neuro-disability. Our founder, Dr Andrew Reed, who had a fine record as a practical philanthropist, recognised that there was no hospital in Great Britain designed specifically for the long-term care of people termed ‘incurable’. He therefore set about organising an appeal for the establishment of a charitable institution for those whose needs were not being met; somewhere that could 'give permanent relief to such persons as are hopelessly disqualified for the duties of life, by disease, accident or deformity'. Charles Dickens, the literary giant and a voice of social conscience at the time, took a keen interest in Reed’s project, urging him to provide a 'resting place' where people would be 'sheltered and cared for in their irremovable afflictions'. A public meeting, chaired by the Lord Mayor of London, was held at the Mansion House in July 1854. The motion to found the charity was adopted unanimously and the ‘Hospital for Incurables’ was opened the following spring. Initially based in a small converted workhouse in Carshalton, Surrey, the hospital accommodated just four patients. In 1858, a more spacious house was leased in Putney, and finally, in 1865, patients were moved to the present site on West Hill – originally a hunting lodge. Florence Nightingale was one of several leading authorities who helped plan this move. In 1919, the organisation received the Royal Charter and changed its name to the ‘Royal Hospital and Home for Incurables, Putney’. In its early years, referrals tended to be people with conditions such as rheumatism, paralysis, spinal disease, polio or cancer. Those with chest or hip disease, deformities or who had suffered accidents were also admitted. With developments in modern technology and improved transport, our more recent history has been one of rapid growth and change. In 1946 the hospital opted out of the NHS Act; it was believed that we would be in a stronger position to focus on more specialised treatment as a charity. Towards the end of the 1970s, the emphasis of care began to move away from being primarily that of long-term nursing, towards rehabilitative services. With an increasing number of patients being referred with complex forms of brain damage, we developed the very first specialist rehabilitation unit in the UK for people with severe forms of brain injury. Soon after we recognised the need for a vegetative state unit, opening the only one of its kind in the country. By 1993 we had also opened the first transitional living unit in the UK to help residents get ready to live independently. In 1995 we adopted our present name to better reflect the nature of our specialised work. Since then, we have continued to develop and deliver a range of clinical services and innovative approaches to the management of people with acquired brain injury and neurological illness. In 2003 we launched our academic arm, The Institute of Neuropalliative Rehabilitation, in response to a growing interest in education and research; developing training programmes and influencing international standards and policy is now an essential element of our work. Read more about: |