The Bethlem Royal Hospital is a hospital for the treatment of mental illness located in London, United Kingdom and part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Although no longer based at its original location, it is recognised as Europe's first and oldest institution to specialise in mental illnesses. It has been known by various names including St Mary Bethlehem, Bethlem Hospital, Bethlehem Hospital and Bedlam.
The Hospital is closely associated with King's College London and in partnership with the King's College London Institute of Psychiatry is a major centre for psychiatric research. It is part of both the King's Health Partners academic health science centre and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health.
The word bedlam, meaning uproar and confusion, is derived from the hospital's prior name. Although currently a modern psychiatric facility, historically it became representative of the worst excesses of asylums in the era of lunacy reform.
Read more about Bethlem Royal Hospital: Europe's Oldest Psychiatric Hospital, Foundation, Medieval Period, Early Modern Period, 1815-16 Parliamentary Inquiry, Bethlem Rebuilt At St George's Fields, 750th Year Anniversary and "Reclaim Bedlam" Campaign, Recent Developments, Current Services, Museum and Archives, Notable Patients
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