Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability
Encyclopedia
The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, in Putney
in South West London, is an independent medical charity which undertakes research and provides specialist services to meet the needs of people with complex neurological disabilities resulting from damage to the brain
or other parts of the nervous system
. This damage is often caused by traffic accidents and illnesses. The RHN provides long-term residential care to many of its patients.
The RHN is one of the 200 largest UK charitable organizations ranked by annual expenditure.
, chaired by the Lord Mayor of London
. The founder, Andrew Reed, had a record as a practical philanthropist
, and responded to a plea from the author Charles Dickens
to:
The RHN was originally called the Hospital for Incurables and was based in a converted workhouse
in Carshalton
, Surrey. In 1857, a more spacious house was leased in Putney
, and finally in 1865, patients were moved to the hospital's present site on West Hill, Putney. In 1919, the organisation received its Royal Charter
, becoming the Royal Hospital and Home for Incurables.
The building on West Hill in Putney had originally been a hunting lodge (Melrose Lodge) and was purchased with 24 acres (97,124.6 m²) of land, on which, until the 1960s, the hospital operated a working farm. Much of the land has now been developed, but the RHN retains spacious landscaped gardens for the use of patients, residents, relatives and employees. These grounds are also used to hold concerts, fundraising events and host a local primary school's annual sports day.
In 1988 the name changed to the Royal Hospital and Home, Putney. Because this name did not make it obvious what work was carried out, in 1995 the name was changed to the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.
On 11 November 2010, RHN won two Awards for Innovation at the UKABIF (United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum) annual conference. The RHN Technology Link Service won for ‘Innovation by a care provider in the field of ABI (Acquired Brain Injury)’ and Sarah Haynes of the RHN Tracheostomy Clinic won for ‘Innovation by a clinician in the field of ABI’. On 22 November 2010, RHN won the gold medal award in the hospital category of the London Garden Society Awards.
Putney
Putney is a district in south-west London, England, located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated south-west of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
in South West London, is an independent medical charity which undertakes research and provides specialist services to meet the needs of people with complex neurological disabilities resulting from damage to the brain
Brain
The brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
or other parts of the nervous system
Nervous system
The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between different parts of its body. In most animals the nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous...
. This damage is often caused by traffic accidents and illnesses. The RHN provides long-term residential care to many of its patients.
The RHN is one of the 200 largest UK charitable organizations ranked by annual expenditure.
History
The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) was established in July 1854 at a meeting held at the Mansion HouseMansion House, London
Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London in London, England. It is used for some of the City of London's official functions, including an annual dinner, hosted by the Lord Mayor, at which the Chancellor of the Exchequer customarily gives a speech – his...
, chaired by the Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
. The founder, Andrew Reed, had a record as a practical philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, and responded to a plea from the author Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
to:
- "give permanent relief to such persons as are hopelessly disqualified for the duties of life", but "not to interfere with the endeavours of existing charities, but to take action precisely where their action ceased."
The RHN was originally called the Hospital for Incurables and was based in a converted workhouse
Workhouse
In England and Wales a workhouse, colloquially known as a spike, was a place where those unable to support themselves were offered accommodation and employment...
in Carshalton
Carshalton
Carshalton is a suburban area of the London Borough of Sutton, England. It is located 10 miles south-southwest of Charing Cross, situated in the valley of the River Wandle, one of the sources of which is Carshalton Ponds in the centre of the village. The combined population of the five wards...
, Surrey. In 1857, a more spacious house was leased in Putney
Putney
Putney is a district in south-west London, England, located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated south-west of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
, and finally in 1865, patients were moved to the hospital's present site on West Hill, Putney. In 1919, the organisation received its Royal Charter
Royal Charter
A royal charter is a formal document issued by a monarch as letters patent, granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate. They were, and are still, used to establish significant organizations such as cities or universities. Charters should be distinguished from warrants and...
, becoming the Royal Hospital and Home for Incurables.
The building on West Hill in Putney had originally been a hunting lodge (Melrose Lodge) and was purchased with 24 acres (97,124.6 m²) of land, on which, until the 1960s, the hospital operated a working farm. Much of the land has now been developed, but the RHN retains spacious landscaped gardens for the use of patients, residents, relatives and employees. These grounds are also used to hold concerts, fundraising events and host a local primary school's annual sports day.
In 1988 the name changed to the Royal Hospital and Home, Putney. Because this name did not make it obvious what work was carried out, in 1995 the name was changed to the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.
On 11 November 2010, RHN won two Awards for Innovation at the UKABIF (United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum) annual conference. The RHN Technology Link Service won for ‘Innovation by a care provider in the field of ABI (Acquired Brain Injury)’ and Sarah Haynes of the RHN Tracheostomy Clinic won for ‘Innovation by a clinician in the field of ABI’. On 22 November 2010, RHN won the gold medal award in the hospital category of the London Garden Society Awards.