Details
About ROYAL NATIONAL ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL - Orthopedic Surgery Hospital
Introduction to the RNOH
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust (RNOH) provides
a comprehensive range of neuro-musculoskeletal health care,
ranging from the most acute spinal injury or complex bone tumour
to orthopaedic medicine and specialist rehabilitation for chronic
back pain sufferers. This broad range of neuro-musculoskeletal
services is unique within the NHS.
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 opinions or for treatment
of complex or rare conditions.
Patients benefit from a team of highly specialised consultants,
many of whom are nationally and internationally recognised for
their expertise and experience.
Consultants are supported in their work by nurses, therapists
and other specialist clinical staff who are trained and are
experts in their particular fields of orthopaedic care.
The RNOH plays a major role in teaching, 20% of all UK orthopaedic
surgeons receive training here. Our teaching and our clinical
effectiveness are enhanced by our work in research and development
and our academic links with University College, London. Research
departments at Stanmore include the Institute of Orthopaedics,
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* National Training centre
which is located on site and hosts first-class sporting and
other facilities for able-bodied and disabled people.
History of the RNOH
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust (RNOH),
based in Brockley Hill, 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 into a single centre
of excellence and can thus trace its history back over 150 years 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 up 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 1930's 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 one of the first of its kind, Spinal Injuries
Unit. The London Spinal Unit was officially opened by HRH
the Princess of Wales in 1984.
In this new millennium, patients continue to benefit from
a team of highly specialised consultants, many of whom are
nationally and internationally recognised for their expertise
and experience. Consultants are supported in their work by
nurses, therapists and other specialist clinical staff, who
are trained under our experts in their fields of orthopaedic care.
Today, the RNOH is acknowledged as a leading centre of excellence
offering a unique range of neuro-musculoskeletal services
ranging from the most acute spinal injury or complex bone
tumour to orthopaedic medicine and specialist rehabilitation for back pain suffers.
The hospital continues to play a major role in teaching with
one in five orthopaedic surgeons in the UK training at the
hospital, and continues the tradition of leading edge and
innovative research and development through the Institute
of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science.
