Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
Encyclopedia
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (informally the RNOH) is a specialist orthopaedic
hospital located in London
, United Kingdom
and a part of Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust. It provides the most comprehensive range of neuro-musculoskeletal health care in the UK, including acute spinal injury, complex bone tumour treatment, orthopaedic medicine and specialist rehabilitation for chronic back pain. The RNOH is a major teaching centre and around 20% of orthopaedic surgeons in the UK receive training there.
, Stanmore
and Bolsover Street, central London, is a National Centre of Excellence, which treats patients from across the UK, many of whom have been referred by other hospital consultants for second opinions or treatment of complex or rare conditions. Patients are also referred to the hospital from many other parts of the world.
The RNOH was founded in 1905 with the amalgamation of London's three specialist orthopaedic hospitals and can thus trace its history back to 1838.
The hospital is located on two sites. The main site, the 'country branch', is located in 112 green belt acres at Stanmore with the 'town branch' located on Bolsover Street, central London. The town branch was also located at 234 Great Portland Street until 1984.
During the First World War, the hospital became an emergency hospital for the military and in early 1918 also housed discharged disabled soldiers. King George V
and Queen Mary
visited the hospital on two occasions.
1920 saw the start of an hospital funds appeal, with the first annual fundraising day 'Buttercup Day' being launched by HRH the Duke of Gloucester, Patron of the RNOH.
In the 1930s the hospital became known as the leading centre for the treatment of poliomyelitis and tuberculosis and in 1936 the building of the Stanmore Cripples Training College was started.
The RNOH was at the forefront of significant advances in the treatment of orthopaedic conditions in the first quarter of the twentieth century. Advances in scientific investigations made the diagnosis of disabling conditions more accurate, and often at an earlier stage in the patients illness. This meant that patients for whom there would be no possible cure then had the opportunity to be relieved of their pain and deformity.
The RNOH saw the outbreak of the Second World War with many 'Nissen' huts being erected to house civilian orthopaedic cases and casualties. Patients were brought from across the country, including those from hospitals near the coast, areas close to airfields and other military installations.
In 1945, the RNOH was recognised as a postgraduate teaching hospital and it was recommended that an Institute of Orthopaedics should be founded and that it should be associated with the RNOH. With the formation of the Institute came a joint appointment between the two centres, that of Mr Herbert Seddon, who in 1964 was awarded a Knighthood for his work in Orthopaedics.
1948 saw the start of the National Health Service from which time the RNOH became an independent teaching hospital.
The RNOH's work into orthopaedic care continued when in 1950 the hospital moved into the treatment of scoliosis
, back care, leg inequality, hand and peripheral nerve injuries.
Training and research has played an important part in the hospital's work, resulting in the development of dedicated units, the training and teaching of consultants overseas as well as UK medical students and nurses.
In 1979, HRH The Prince of Wales opened a Rehabilitation Assessment Unit, built with funds raised by the British Motor Racing Drivers Association, in memory of Graham Hill
who had once been a patient of the hospital and a Council member of the Friends.
Following years of research and treatment into spinal injures, the RNOH opened a spinal injuries unit, one of the first of its kind. The London Spinal Unit was officially opened by HRH the Princess of Wales
in 1984.
or for treatment of complex or rare conditions.
The RNOH is closely associated with University College London
(UCL) and the UCL Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science occupies the same site. Other research departments connected with the RHOH include the Centre for Disability Research and Innovation, the Institute of Human Performance and the Centre for Biomedical Engineering.
The Trust also works closely with other hospitals and has many joint appointments with other Trusts to ensure maximum availability of specialist skills for patients. Patients of the Trust also benefit from access to the ASPIRE (Association for Spinal Injury Research, Rehabilitation and Reintegration) National Training centre which is located on site and hosts sporting and other facilities for able-bodied and disabled people.
Orthopedic surgery
Orthopedic surgery or orthopedics is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system...
hospital located in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and a part of Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust. It provides the most comprehensive range of neuro-musculoskeletal health care in the UK, including acute spinal injury, complex bone tumour treatment, orthopaedic medicine and specialist rehabilitation for chronic back pain. The RNOH is a major teaching centre and around 20% of orthopaedic surgeons in the UK receive training there.
History
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust (RNOH), based in Brockley HillBrockley Hill
Brockley Hill, Stanmore, on the outskirts of North London, England, rises to above sea level. The road leading over it is also named Brockley Hill. The area is associated with the archaeological site called Sulloniacis...
, Stanmore
Stanmore
Stanmore is a suburban area of the London Borough of Harrow, in northwest London. It is situated northwest of Charing Cross. The area is home to Stanmore Hill, one of the highest points of London, high.-Toponymy:...
and Bolsover Street, central London, is a National Centre of Excellence, which treats patients from across the UK, many of whom have been referred by other hospital consultants for second opinions or treatment of complex or rare conditions. Patients are also referred to the hospital from many other parts of the world.
The RNOH was founded in 1905 with the amalgamation of London's three specialist orthopaedic hospitals and can thus trace its history back to 1838.
The hospital is located on two sites. The main site, the 'country branch', is located in 112 green belt acres at Stanmore with the 'town branch' located on Bolsover Street, central London. The town branch was also located at 234 Great Portland Street until 1984.
During the First World War, the hospital became an emergency hospital for the military and in early 1918 also housed discharged disabled soldiers. King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
and Queen Mary
Mary of Teck
Mary of Teck was the queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, as the wife of King-Emperor George V....
visited the hospital on two occasions.
1920 saw the start of an hospital funds appeal, with the first annual fundraising day 'Buttercup Day' being launched by HRH the Duke of Gloucester, Patron of the RNOH.
In the 1930s the hospital became known as the leading centre for the treatment of poliomyelitis and tuberculosis and in 1936 the building of the Stanmore Cripples Training College was started.
The RNOH was at the forefront of significant advances in the treatment of orthopaedic conditions in the first quarter of the twentieth century. Advances in scientific investigations made the diagnosis of disabling conditions more accurate, and often at an earlier stage in the patients illness. This meant that patients for whom there would be no possible cure then had the opportunity to be relieved of their pain and deformity.
The RNOH saw the outbreak of the Second World War with many 'Nissen' huts being erected to house civilian orthopaedic cases and casualties. Patients were brought from across the country, including those from hospitals near the coast, areas close to airfields and other military installations.
In 1945, the RNOH was recognised as a postgraduate teaching hospital and it was recommended that an Institute of Orthopaedics should be founded and that it should be associated with the RNOH. With the formation of the Institute came a joint appointment between the two centres, that of Mr Herbert Seddon, who in 1964 was awarded a Knighthood for his work in Orthopaedics.
1948 saw the start of the National Health Service from which time the RNOH became an independent teaching hospital.
The RNOH's work into orthopaedic care continued when in 1950 the hospital moved into the treatment of scoliosis
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spine is curved from side to side. Although it is a complex three-dimensional deformity, on an X-ray, viewed from the rear, the spine of an individual with scoliosis may look more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line...
, back care, leg inequality, hand and peripheral nerve injuries.
Training and research has played an important part in the hospital's work, resulting in the development of dedicated units, the training and teaching of consultants overseas as well as UK medical students and nurses.
In 1979, HRH The Prince of Wales opened a Rehabilitation Assessment Unit, built with funds raised by the British Motor Racing Drivers Association, in memory of Graham Hill
Graham Hill
Norman Graham Hill was a British racing driver and two-time Formula One World Champion. He is the only driver to win the Triple Crown of Motorsport — the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and Formula One World Championship.Graham Hill and his son Damon are the only father and son pair both to...
who had once been a patient of the hospital and a Council member of the Friends.
Following years of research and treatment into spinal injures, the RNOH opened a spinal injuries unit, one of the first of its kind. The London Spinal Unit was officially opened by HRH the Princess of Wales
Princess of Wales
Princess of Wales is a British courtesy title held by the wife of The Prince of Wales since the first "English" Prince of Wales in 1283.Although there have been considerably more than ten male heirs to the throne, there have been only ten Princesses of Wales. The majority of Princes of Wales...
in 1984.
Activities
As a national centre of excellence, the RNOH treats patients from across the country, many of whom have been referred by other hospital consultants for second opinionsSecond opinion (medicine)
A second opinion is a visit to a physician other than the one a patient has previously been seeing in order to get a differing point-of-view. Second opinions may be sought by a patient under the following circumstances:*Physician recommends surgery....
or for treatment of complex or rare conditions.
The RNOH is closely associated with University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
(UCL) and the UCL Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science occupies the same site. Other research departments connected with the RHOH include the Centre for Disability Research and Innovation, the Institute of Human Performance and the Centre for Biomedical Engineering.
The Trust also works closely with other hospitals and has many joint appointments with other Trusts to ensure maximum availability of specialist skills for patients. Patients of the Trust also benefit from access to the ASPIRE (Association for Spinal Injury Research, Rehabilitation and Reintegration) National Training centre which is located on site and hosts sporting and other facilities for able-bodied and disabled people.