Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability

The Royal Hospital for Neurodisability, in Putney in southwest 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 hospital provides long-term residential care to the many of its patients.

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History

The Royal Hospital was established in July 1854 at a meeting held at the Mansion House, 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:

"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 Royal Hospital 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 of land, on which, until the 1960s, the hospital operated a working farm. Much of the land has now been developed, but the Royal Hospital retains spacious landscaped gardens for the use of patients, relatives and staff. These grounds are also used to hold concerts, fundraising receptions and host a local primary school's annual Sports Day.

In 1988 the hospital changed its name 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 Neurodisability.