The Development of the London Hospital System, 1823-1982 by Geoffrey Rivett

Free shipping within Australia, international delivery available This meticulously researched account charts the complex evolution of London’s hospital network from 1823 to 1982. Spanning the era from the founding of The Lancet to the restructuring of the National Health Service, Geoffrey Rivett provides a definitive analysis of how voluntary hospitals, poor law infirmaries, and fever hospitals were shaped by sociopolitical pressures, medical advancement, and the unique challenges of the capital. The narrative reveals a system defined by the tension between institutional independence and the recurring need for centralised order. By exploring the influence of medical education, persistent financial crises, and the often-contentious debates surrounding administration, the book offers a compelling insight into the origins of modern health services. With its exploration of how Victorian-era reforms and wartime planning eventually coalesced into the contemporary NHS, this work serves as an essential record for anyone interested in the history of public health. Rivett’s work is an authoritative, thought-provoking examination of how London’s medical landscape was transformed from disparate charitable entities into a structured, albeit imperfect, collective system. Used (good, see images, minor dust jacket wear and handwritten name) Hardcover ISBN 0197246338