Barts Health Archives
@bharchives.bsky.social
Explore nearly 900 years of history through the archives and objects cared for by Barts Health NHS Trust Archives. Part of Barts Health NHS Trust. Find out more at www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/barts-health-archives
Pinned
![Photograph of two female records clerks at the London Hospital, both wearing work coats; one on a ladder is retrieving or returning an x-ray from the shelf in a wallet which reads "x-ray wallet"; the other appears to be checking files against a paper list. c1970s [RLHLH/P/2/41/6]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kpxxiqvlbi3oovm5uue5sbnh/bafkreidfdtewdznowuk6h6yrh2t3dhzisurhhexxiedapn7gn4kn2cu3si)
If you're new to our service you should know that we are more than just St Bartholomew’s. We hold over 145 collections, including over 35 hospitals as well as NHS authorities, medical & nursing schools, charities, and much more
You can find a list of collections we hold here - tinyurl.com/d9ds6nhv
You can find a list of collections we hold here - tinyurl.com/d9ds6nhv
Do you work with historic medical images?
Join the launch of the new Ethics of Medical Photography Toolkit, a new resource for researchers, GLAM professionals, and anyone thinking about the challenges of working with historical medical photography
Join the launch of the new Ethics of Medical Photography Toolkit, a new resource for researchers, GLAM professionals, and anyone thinking about the challenges of working with historical medical photography
Really excited to announce the online launch of The Ethics of Medical Photography Toolkit, the result of two years of work between academics, archives and museums. Register here forms.gle/PYBjxGNDitDp... to join us on Friday 16 Oct at 3 pm BST online #histmed #photohist #ethics #medhums
September 16, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Do you work with historic medical images?
Join the launch of the new Ethics of Medical Photography Toolkit, a new resource for researchers, GLAM professionals, and anyone thinking about the challenges of working with historical medical photography
Join the launch of the new Ethics of Medical Photography Toolkit, a new resource for researchers, GLAM professionals, and anyone thinking about the challenges of working with historical medical photography
Reposted by Barts Health Archives
🆕 The Digital Revolution: Nursing in the Age of Technology. 🤖
Our latest exhibition at @rcnlibraries.bsky.social explores data, computing and technology in nursing practice, from health care history to science fiction.
Find out more: bit.ly/4A8VB32
Our latest exhibition at @rcnlibraries.bsky.social explores data, computing and technology in nursing practice, from health care history to science fiction.
Find out more: bit.ly/4A8VB32
September 14, 2026 at 2:08 PM
🆕 The Digital Revolution: Nursing in the Age of Technology. 🤖
Our latest exhibition at @rcnlibraries.bsky.social explores data, computing and technology in nursing practice, from health care history to science fiction.
Find out more: bit.ly/4A8VB32
Our latest exhibition at @rcnlibraries.bsky.social explores data, computing and technology in nursing practice, from health care history to science fiction.
Find out more: bit.ly/4A8VB32
Who was Eva Lückes and what was her role in nursing history?
In a guest post on our blog, @sarahphd22.bsky.social discusses 'The Matron Maker', her new biography of a fascinating figure, 'nursing reformer and Nightingale protégée'. #histnursing
www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/archives-blo...
In a guest post on our blog, @sarahphd22.bsky.social discusses 'The Matron Maker', her new biography of a fascinating figure, 'nursing reformer and Nightingale protégée'. #histnursing
www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/archives-blo...
September 9, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Who was Eva Lückes and what was her role in nursing history?
In a guest post on our blog, @sarahphd22.bsky.social discusses 'The Matron Maker', her new biography of a fascinating figure, 'nursing reformer and Nightingale protégée'. #histnursing
www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/archives-blo...
In a guest post on our blog, @sarahphd22.bsky.social discusses 'The Matron Maker', her new biography of a fascinating figure, 'nursing reformer and Nightingale protégée'. #histnursing
www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/archives-blo...
Look what's washed up in the #archives! Our new display, 'Rinse and Repeat' focuses on the vital work of our hospital's laundries.
Learn how many million items were laundered each year and find out about Big Bertha next time you visit!
Learn how many million items were laundered each year and find out about Big Bertha next time you visit!
September 2, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Look what's washed up in the #archives! Our new display, 'Rinse and Repeat' focuses on the vital work of our hospital's laundries.
Learn how many million items were laundered each year and find out about Big Bertha next time you visit!
Learn how many million items were laundered each year and find out about Big Bertha next time you visit!
Reposted by Barts Health Archives
As our Moved to Care exhibition heads up to Edinburgh, why not check our fascinating #MoveToCare recorded events, including this one with authors Subhadra Das and Kandace Chimbiri.
📺 Watch now to learn the connections between migration, empire and nursing: https://youtu.be/J5u77nihAgQ
#HistNursing
📺 Watch now to learn the connections between migration, empire and nursing: https://youtu.be/J5u77nihAgQ
#HistNursing
Missionaries & Migrants: A history of nursing and empire
YouTube video by RCN
youtu.be
September 2, 2026 at 10:22 AM
As our Moved to Care exhibition heads up to Edinburgh, why not check our fascinating #MoveToCare recorded events, including this one with authors Subhadra Das and Kandace Chimbiri.
📺 Watch now to learn the connections between migration, empire and nursing: https://youtu.be/J5u77nihAgQ
#HistNursing
📺 Watch now to learn the connections between migration, empire and nursing: https://youtu.be/J5u77nihAgQ
#HistNursing
Interested in 'Transplantation of the Teeth'? What about 'Fur on the tongue'? Or do you want to find out about a 'singular injury' caused by a marble?
You can now find case reports on these and many more listed on our catalogue. Find out more in our new blog post
shorturl.at/moaAI
You can now find case reports on these and many more listed on our catalogue. Find out more in our new blog post
shorturl.at/moaAI
Opening the report books | Blogs from the Archives
A volunteer project to improve the cataloguing of the St Bartholomew's Hospital Reports
shorturl.at
August 21, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Interested in 'Transplantation of the Teeth'? What about 'Fur on the tongue'? Or do you want to find out about a 'singular injury' caused by a marble?
You can now find case reports on these and many more listed on our catalogue. Find out more in our new blog post
shorturl.at/moaAI
You can now find case reports on these and many more listed on our catalogue. Find out more in our new blog post
shorturl.at/moaAI
Remember to protect your eyes during the #eclipse this evening! Make sure to wear eclipse glasses or use the pinhole technique ☀️👓😎
This London Hospital nurse is treating a patient using a lens to focus sun rays on to the face of the patient with Lupus Vulgaris (a type of tuberculosis of the skin).
This London Hospital nurse is treating a patient using a lens to focus sun rays on to the face of the patient with Lupus Vulgaris (a type of tuberculosis of the skin).
August 12, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Remember to protect your eyes during the #eclipse this evening! Make sure to wear eclipse glasses or use the pinhole technique ☀️👓😎
This London Hospital nurse is treating a patient using a lens to focus sun rays on to the face of the patient with Lupus Vulgaris (a type of tuberculosis of the skin).
This London Hospital nurse is treating a patient using a lens to focus sun rays on to the face of the patient with Lupus Vulgaris (a type of tuberculosis of the skin).
Want to use archives for your research but don't know where to start?
Book one of our hands-on archive skills sessions to help take your research further!
Last Friday, @lhbt.bsky.social brought their Community Researchers for a skills session focused on property records, including some fab plans
Book one of our hands-on archive skills sessions to help take your research further!
Last Friday, @lhbt.bsky.social brought their Community Researchers for a skills session focused on property records, including some fab plans
![Plan of St Bartholomew's Hospital-owned property in Fore Street and Lime Kiln Dock [Limehouse], c1755 - 1762 (plan 114, SBHB/HC/46)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kpxxiqvlbi3oovm5uue5sbnh/bafkreicun6qexdmylh26ejrfbawmgtkof5tp7zwe6pbucsddcor4on6fz4)
July 21, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Want to use archives for your research but don't know where to start?
Book one of our hands-on archive skills sessions to help take your research further!
Last Friday, @lhbt.bsky.social brought their Community Researchers for a skills session focused on property records, including some fab plans
Book one of our hands-on archive skills sessions to help take your research further!
Last Friday, @lhbt.bsky.social brought their Community Researchers for a skills session focused on property records, including some fab plans
Reposted by Barts Health Archives
Today, the National Health Service (NHS) celebrates its 78th birthday.
With the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH), you can access hundreds of records on the history of the NHS and its evolution over the past eight decades.
With the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH), you can access hundreds of records on the history of the NHS and its evolution over the past eight decades.
July 5, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Today, the National Health Service (NHS) celebrates its 78th birthday.
With the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH), you can access hundreds of records on the history of the NHS and its evolution over the past eight decades.
With the Bibliography of British and Irish History (BBIH), you can access hundreds of records on the history of the NHS and its evolution over the past eight decades.
Last Friday, as part of their 'Filth and Health' conference, we welcomed members of the British Archaeological Association for a display of documents relating medieval and early modern sewers and water supply at St Bartholomew's Hospital (and to enjoy the archives air conditioning!)
![Projector screen with a slide in the style of a medieval illuminated manuscript reading 'Filth and Health - Hygiene and Sanitation in the Middle Ages. Inter faeces et urinas nascimur' [The Latin is attributed to early church fathers like Augustine or Bernard of Clairvaux, and means "We are born amid faeces and urine"]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kpxxiqvlbi3oovm5uue5sbnh/bafkreicla2uulzwvozbahmrmduyhnzocpjxifv7havwvtsycmb6e7fe2ma)
June 30, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Last Friday, as part of their 'Filth and Health' conference, we welcomed members of the British Archaeological Association for a display of documents relating medieval and early modern sewers and water supply at St Bartholomew's Hospital (and to enjoy the archives air conditioning!)
Reposted by Barts Health Archives
Day 1 of our fabulous @ihr.bsky.social #London #SummerSchool 2026: 'Sickness and Health'. We've enjoyed a lecture from @clairelanghamer.bsky.social, an @ihrlibrary.bsky.social introduction and workshop, and a brilliant visit to @bharchives.bsky.social and Barts North Wing. Thank you!
June 22, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Day 1 of our fabulous @ihr.bsky.social #London #SummerSchool 2026: 'Sickness and Health'. We've enjoyed a lecture from @clairelanghamer.bsky.social, an @ihrlibrary.bsky.social introduction and workshop, and a brilliant visit to @bharchives.bsky.social and Barts North Wing. Thank you!
It's #CleanAirDay - & on 5 July, the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Clean Air Act.
In this letter, a TB patient describes his experience of the 'Great Smog' of 1952, estimated to have contributed to 12,000 deaths in London - unable to move “owing to the exertion of breathing…trying to hold onto life”
In this letter, a TB patient describes his experience of the 'Great Smog' of 1952, estimated to have contributed to 12,000 deaths in London - unable to move “owing to the exertion of breathing…trying to hold onto life”
![Section of a handwritten letter in blue ink, reading 'I would like to render you a report of my health, as I think one id due about October. Well I am very pleased to say that I have survived an alarming experience during the last 3 days + nights of 'Fog'. I was totally incapable of raising my body to an upstanding position or for that matter moving a limb owing to exertion of breathing or shall I say trying to hold on to LIFE. Well it is all over now thank God. My doctor has prescribed the necessary medicine and recommends a fluid diet. But I don't want to undergo such an experience again without having some remedy...".
From correspondence between patient WA and the Lady Almoner at Frimley [TB] Sanatorium, 1942-1957 [RLHBH/AL/3/27/9]. The patient goes on to make a request for a prescription for a respiratory mask to help with future smog, and a note indicates the Lady Almoner has requested a Burney Yeo inhaler (mask) for WA from the dispensary at the Brompton Hospital.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kpxxiqvlbi3oovm5uue5sbnh/bafkreiajtc6c4of5rumploqa35dw6z6o53bzsbn4p7je5rlxxg54jo2wlq)
June 18, 2026 at 8:32 AM
It's #CleanAirDay - & on 5 July, the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Clean Air Act.
In this letter, a TB patient describes his experience of the 'Great Smog' of 1952, estimated to have contributed to 12,000 deaths in London - unable to move “owing to the exertion of breathing…trying to hold onto life”
In this letter, a TB patient describes his experience of the 'Great Smog' of 1952, estimated to have contributed to 12,000 deaths in London - unable to move “owing to the exertion of breathing…trying to hold onto life”
We can't wait to welcome groups from the @ihr.bsky.social Summer School next week - if ever a theme was made for our collections, it is 'Sickness and Health'!
We have lots of fascinating material to share with them on Monday
We have lots of fascinating material to share with them on Monday
A brilliant morning in @senatehouselib.bsky.social! @cathamclarke.bsky.social and @graffitiginger.bsky.social have been looking at special collections materials ready for our @ihr.bsky.social London Summer School next week - on the theme of 'Sickness and Health'. Our participants are in for a treat!
June 17, 2026 at 1:12 PM
We can't wait to welcome groups from the @ihr.bsky.social Summer School next week - if ever a theme was made for our collections, it is 'Sickness and Health'!
We have lots of fascinating material to share with them on Monday
We have lots of fascinating material to share with them on Monday
This hand drawn card was sent from three retiring Whipps Cross Hospital staff to their colleagues in about 1981, thanking them for the "the help and consideration given to us over the years, and best wishes extended to us on our retirement."
#WorldBicycleDay #Archives
#WorldBicycleDay #Archives
![Watercolour cartoon on front, of two silhouetted figures riding away from the hospital, which can be seen in the background, on a bicycle and motorbike, with the caption 'Hurry Up Tom in case they call us back!!". Signed FW [Fred White].
RLHPP/NOW/1](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:kpxxiqvlbi3oovm5uue5sbnh/bafkreib4f7rqp4jpwbbugcg3qrwphacjya22lxgv4e2lqnlwgdyne5w36e)
June 3, 2026 at 9:40 AM
This hand drawn card was sent from three retiring Whipps Cross Hospital staff to their colleagues in about 1981, thanking them for the "the help and consideration given to us over the years, and best wishes extended to us on our retirement."
#WorldBicycleDay #Archives
#WorldBicycleDay #Archives
For our final Vital Arts post, we have two past projects by Barts Health's arts programme - a 2006 CD of music commissioned for wards and patient waiting areas, entitled 'Vital Music'; and 'The Consulting Room', a 1999 performance at the Royal London Hospital
#VitalArts30
#VitalArts30
May 22, 2026 at 9:26 AM
For our final Vital Arts post, we have two past projects by Barts Health's arts programme - a 2006 CD of music commissioned for wards and patient waiting areas, entitled 'Vital Music'; and 'The Consulting Room', a 1999 performance at the Royal London Hospital
#VitalArts30
#VitalArts30
On day three of our look back at past arts projects for #VitalArts30, we're focusing on something big!
The restoration of the St Bartholomew's Hospital West Wing as a Breast Care Centre in 2002-2005 saw the building 'wrapped' in an artwork by Julian Opie during the construction works
The restoration of the St Bartholomew's Hospital West Wing as a Breast Care Centre in 2002-2005 saw the building 'wrapped' in an artwork by Julian Opie during the construction works
May 21, 2026 at 8:57 AM
On day three of our look back at past arts projects for #VitalArts30, we're focusing on something big!
The restoration of the St Bartholomew's Hospital West Wing as a Breast Care Centre in 2002-2005 saw the building 'wrapped' in an artwork by Julian Opie during the construction works
The restoration of the St Bartholomew's Hospital West Wing as a Breast Care Centre in 2002-2005 saw the building 'wrapped' in an artwork by Julian Opie during the construction works
Today we continue our look back at #VitalArts30. In 1999, the 'Right of Passage' photographic exhibition staged by the Trust's Fertility Centre at St Bartholomew's Hospital, together with Vital Arts, explored the emotions exposed by fertility treatment
May 20, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Today we continue our look back at #VitalArts30. In 1999, the 'Right of Passage' photographic exhibition staged by the Trust's Fertility Centre at St Bartholomew's Hospital, together with Vital Arts, explored the emotions exposed by fertility treatment
Today, we're going back to 2000/2001, the 'Year of the Artist', when Emily Allchurch completed her residency as the artist working with children being treated at Garden House, then the Royal London Hospital's children's hospital (1/2)
#VitalArts30
#VitalArts30
Vital Arts, the arts programme of Barts Health NHS Trust, is 30 years old this May 🎉🎨
To celebrate three decades of delivering visual and participatory art projects across our hospitals, this week we'll be taking a look back at a Vital Arts few projects from the archives #VitalArts30
To celebrate three decades of delivering visual and participatory art projects across our hospitals, this week we'll be taking a look back at a Vital Arts few projects from the archives #VitalArts30
May 19, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Today, we're going back to 2000/2001, the 'Year of the Artist', when Emily Allchurch completed her residency as the artist working with children being treated at Garden House, then the Royal London Hospital's children's hospital (1/2)
#VitalArts30
#VitalArts30
Vital Arts, the arts programme of Barts Health NHS Trust, is 30 years old this May 🎉🎨
To celebrate three decades of delivering visual and participatory art projects across our hospitals, this week we'll be taking a look back at a Vital Arts few projects from the archives #VitalArts30
To celebrate three decades of delivering visual and participatory art projects across our hospitals, this week we'll be taking a look back at a Vital Arts few projects from the archives #VitalArts30
May 19, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Vital Arts, the arts programme of Barts Health NHS Trust, is 30 years old this May 🎉🎨
To celebrate three decades of delivering visual and participatory art projects across our hospitals, this week we'll be taking a look back at a Vital Arts few projects from the archives #VitalArts30
To celebrate three decades of delivering visual and participatory art projects across our hospitals, this week we'll be taking a look back at a Vital Arts few projects from the archives #VitalArts30
In 1854, #ViewDay at St Bartholomew's Hospital was moved from March to May, apparently 'a less inclement season'.
Last Wednesday had hail🌨️, rain🌧️ and bright sunshine☀️ - thank you to all who made it through the weather to visit our open day or try out our handling objects in the hospital square!
Last Wednesday had hail🌨️, rain🌧️ and bright sunshine☀️ - thank you to all who made it through the weather to visit our open day or try out our handling objects in the hospital square!
May 18, 2026 at 1:27 PM
In 1854, #ViewDay at St Bartholomew's Hospital was moved from March to May, apparently 'a less inclement season'.
Last Wednesday had hail🌨️, rain🌧️ and bright sunshine☀️ - thank you to all who made it through the weather to visit our open day or try out our handling objects in the hospital square!
Last Wednesday had hail🌨️, rain🌧️ and bright sunshine☀️ - thank you to all who made it through the weather to visit our open day or try out our handling objects in the hospital square!
Reposted by Barts Health Archives
Happy #InternationalNursesDay from us here at the NHS Forth Valley Archive!
Can anyone help us date this fabulous poster from our collections?
Can anyone help us date this fabulous poster from our collections?
May 12, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Happy #InternationalNursesDay from us here at the NHS Forth Valley Archive!
Can anyone help us date this fabulous poster from our collections?
Can anyone help us date this fabulous poster from our collections?
Tomorrow is View Day at St Bartholomew's Hospital, which also means it's our next #Archives Open Day! 📖👀🥳
Drop in between 11am-3pm tomorrow, Wednesday 13 May to see original records and objects, including some featured in #OurHospitalThroughTime, and find out more about our collections
Drop in between 11am-3pm tomorrow, Wednesday 13 May to see original records and objects, including some featured in #OurHospitalThroughTime, and find out more about our collections
May 12, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Tomorrow is View Day at St Bartholomew's Hospital, which also means it's our next #Archives Open Day! 📖👀🥳
Drop in between 11am-3pm tomorrow, Wednesday 13 May to see original records and objects, including some featured in #OurHospitalThroughTime, and find out more about our collections
Drop in between 11am-3pm tomorrow, Wednesday 13 May to see original records and objects, including some featured in #OurHospitalThroughTime, and find out more about our collections
Its 100 years since the start of the General Strike, industrial action by millions of workers across Britain.
Nearly 52,000 Special Constables were enrolled in London to combat expected unrest. For the 9 days of the strike many slept in the Great Hall at St Bartholomew's Hospital
#GeneralStrike100
Nearly 52,000 Special Constables were enrolled in London to combat expected unrest. For the 9 days of the strike many slept in the Great Hall at St Bartholomew's Hospital
#GeneralStrike100
May 3, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Its 100 years since the start of the General Strike, industrial action by millions of workers across Britain.
Nearly 52,000 Special Constables were enrolled in London to combat expected unrest. For the 9 days of the strike many slept in the Great Hall at St Bartholomew's Hospital
#GeneralStrike100
Nearly 52,000 Special Constables were enrolled in London to combat expected unrest. For the 9 days of the strike many slept in the Great Hall at St Bartholomew's Hospital
#GeneralStrike100
Happy St George's Day!
Can't help but feel it George would have had an easier time if his dragon was made of cardboard like this one... 🐲⚔️
Can't help but feel it George would have had an easier time if his dragon was made of cardboard like this one... 🐲⚔️
April 23, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Happy St George's Day!
Can't help but feel it George would have had an easier time if his dragon was made of cardboard like this one... 🐲⚔️
Can't help but feel it George would have had an easier time if his dragon was made of cardboard like this one... 🐲⚔️
It's one month until View Day at St Bartholomew's Hospital, which means one month till our next #Archives Open Day!
Drop in between 11am-3pm on Wednesday 13 May to see original records and objects, including some featured in #OurHospitalThroughTime, and find out more about our collections
Drop in between 11am-3pm on Wednesday 13 May to see original records and objects, including some featured in #OurHospitalThroughTime, and find out more about our collections
April 15, 2026 at 11:10 AM
It's one month until View Day at St Bartholomew's Hospital, which means one month till our next #Archives Open Day!
Drop in between 11am-3pm on Wednesday 13 May to see original records and objects, including some featured in #OurHospitalThroughTime, and find out more about our collections
Drop in between 11am-3pm on Wednesday 13 May to see original records and objects, including some featured in #OurHospitalThroughTime, and find out more about our collections