Warneford Hospital: 200 Years of Mental Health Care

Warneford Hospital in Oxford is commemorating a remarkable 200-year milestone, celebrating two centuries of dedicated mental health care. The hospital, originally established as the Radcliffe Lunatic Asylum in 1826, proudly stands as England's longest continuously operating psychiatric inpatient facility. Its extensive history is being honored with a comprehensive year-long schedule of events designed to foster greater public understanding of mental health.

These celebratory events aim not only to inform attendees about the hospital's enduring legacy but also to actively promote open discussions surrounding mental health challenges and support. The initiative seeks to destigmatize mental illness and encourage community engagement with these vital services. This occasion offers a unique platform for dialogue and education.

Insights into the hospital's past are being shared through the reflections of former patients and nurses, alongside explorations of historical archive imagery. These narratives provide a poignant glimpse into the evolving landscape of mental illness treatment and care over the past two centuries, highlighting Warneford's continuous role in this field.