The Royal Free Hospital is a large teaching medical institution located in London. Throughout its history, the hospital and its employees have reached many successes. Learn more at london1.one.
Importantly, the hospital played a significant role in the development of women’s medical education. After all, before its establishment, there were great difficulties with clinical training for women in London. Thanks to close cooperation with other educational institutions and hospitals, the Royal Free managed to realise its goal and give female students the opportunity to study medicine in practice.
In our article, we will tell you the most interesting facts from the past of the Royal Free Hospital. After all, its authority and importance can’t be underestimated. Kidney and liver diseases, various viruses and infections formed the basis of the institution’s specialisation. The hospital provides high-quality services, while its specialists use their knowledge and experience in the development of new methods of treatment and diagnosis.
Therefore, make yourself comfortable and learn more about the fascinating scientific and medical history of the Royal Free Hospital, which is among the most authoritative, famous and significant in all of London.
Beginning of the story
The hospital was founded in 1828 and began its activity by providing medical care to the poor. Due to the growing demand and popularity of inpatient facilities, the hospital changed its location in 1844. It was moved to the premises of the former barracks of the Light Horse Volunteers. There, the hospital formed departments and started to help patients with various diseases and medical problems.
Mysterious infection
In 1955, the Royal Free Hospital experienced an outbreak of an infectious disease. The prominent symptoms were fever followed by persistent fatigue. More than 250 employees of the institution caught the infection. Therefore, the hospital had to be closed for a long period.
Later, the institution carried out a thorough investigation to determine the disease the doctors contracted. As it turned out, it was myalgic encephalomyelitis. In other words, this is chronic fatigue syndrome.
Women’s education
For a long time, the Royal Free was the only hospital in London that allowed women to study medicine. The institution began close cooperation with educational institutions that trained medical specialists.
It led to the emergence of full-fledged clinical training for women in London.
Valuable insulation unit
It is important to note that the mentioned hospital is equipped with an isolation unit for the treatment of serious infectious diseases. In particular, we are talking about the Ebola virus. Moreover, as for the latter, not only ordinary patients underwent therapy in the unit but also doctors who contracted the virus in the course of their duties. There were also cases of Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever treated in the hospital’s isolation unit.
Equally significant are the achievements of the hospital staff in the treatment of liver diseases and transplantology. The institution’s specialists developed an effective method of treating kidney failure. A lot of patients need and use it. In addition, doctors repeatedly share their experiences with their colleagues at various medical seminars, symposia and conferences. After all, such an achievement is the real pride of the hospital.
Photo source: wikipedia