History of Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge

Since its foundation in 1766, Addenbrooke's Hospital has strongly influenced both the development of medical practice and the social history of Cambridge.

As one of Britain's first Voluntary Hospitals serving the needs of the sick, and as a centre of medical teaching, Addenbrooke's has always been a focal point in the community as well as a prestigious institute in the wider medical sphere.

This authoritative and absorbing account of the hospital traces in detail its history and development, from its benefaction in 1719 by John Addenbrooke, through its early years of expansion, reforms and modernisation and over the period of the two World Wars.

The final chapters bring the story up to date, with an account of the changes which have occurred in the hospital since 1948, including the major reforms in the NHS and the establishment of a Clinical School.

The authors have a long and close association with Addenbrooke's and have written a book which reflects their unequalled knowledge and insight into the medical history of Cambridge. With the use of rare and previously unseen archive material, including the original minutes, they have produced a careful, authoritative and fascinating account of the history and development of one of Britain's most famous hospitals: its buildings, staff, patients, policy and finances. Embellished with evocative and often rare documentary illustrations, this book will be of the greatest interest and value to all those associated with Addenbrooke's, past and present - clinicians, nursing and administrative staff, students and patients, as well as to anyone with an interest in the social and medical history of Cambridge.