Specialization Of Royal National Hospital For Rheumatic Diseases
Paediatrics
Pain Management
About Royal National Hospital For Rheumatic Diseases
** About us Introducing our hospital **
The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) NHS Foundation Trust, known locally as 'the Min', is a specialist hospital in the centre of Bath with an international reputation for research and expertise in neuro rehabilitation, rheumatology, chronic fatigue and pain management. We also provide diagnostic, endoscopy and clinical measurement services.
We provide patient-centred services, where each patient has the best support for their care and rehabilitation, and work as partners with patients and their carers to support them in the management of their condition.
With around 420 employees and 60 inpatient and day-case beds, our hospital is unique in being the smallest acute specialist trust in England providing services at a national level. Anyone is able to choose to come to our hospital for treatment regardless of where they live if clinical need suggests our services are the most appropriate.
The information below explains how we are organised, how we fit into the overall NHS structure and who some of our partner organisations are.
How we fit into the NHS structure
The NHS was set up in 1948 and is now the largest organisation in Europe. It is recognised as one of the best health services in the world by the World Health Organization.
The NHS is funded by the taxpayer and managed by the Department of Health, which sets overall policy on health issues. It is the responsibility of the Department of Health to provide health services to the general public through the NHS. More information about the NHS can be found on the Department of Health website.
Our hospital became a National Health Service trust in 1991 and an NHS foundation trust in 2005. High quality performance enabled the RNHRD to achieve NHS foundation trust status.
** Our vision **
To transform the lives of people affected by complex, long-term conditions
** Our purpose **
To transform the lives of people affected by complex, long-term conditions by:
providing specialist care that assesses, treats, empowers and supports our patients in a multidisciplinary setting
optimising their quality of life
undertaking world-class research and applying it in order to deliver the highest quality of care.
** Our values **
* Success
To achieve the optimal, most appropriate, patient-led outcomes for our patients, relatives and carers
* Integrity
To be open, honest and ethical and take responsibility for our actions
* Learning
To learn and encourage new ideas, demonstrate evidence-based practice, value feedback and continue to strengthen our reputation for expertise
* Creativity
To seek new solutions, welcome constructive challenge and be open to new ideas; to drive change and be flexible and bold in our approach to new initiatives
* Empowerment
To create and sustain an environment where people can maximise their contribution.
History Of Royal National Hospital For Rheumatic Diseases
Before the 18th Century, hospitals in the sense we recognise them today were unknown, and with a population of under 2,000 at the start of the century, Bath was hardly big enough to need one anyway.
All that changed with the spectacular Georgian redevelopment of the city which began in the 1700s. The population soared, the city’s fame as a health resort grew and medical facilities of some kind quickly became a necessity. The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases was the city’s first hospital (known then as the Bath General Infirmary), and opened in 1742, but only open to visitors from outside the city. So if you were unlucky enough to contract a disease or suffer an accident, it was just too bad if you happened to live in Bath!
