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Description

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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 patientcentred 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 daycase 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 longterm conditions

Our purpose
To transform the lives of people affected by complex longterm conditions by

providing specialist care that assesses treats empowers and supports our patients in a multidisciplinary setting

optimising their quality of life

undertaking worldclass research and applying it in order to deliver the highest quality of care

Our values
Success
To achieve the optimal most appropriate patientled 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 evidencebased 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

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History

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Before the 18th Century hospitals in the sense we recognise them today were unknown and with a population of under 2000 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 citys 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 citys 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