About us

The Florence Nightingale Hospital was established in 1910 as the successor to the Institution for Sick Governesses, which was founded in 1850. Miss Florence Nightingale was appointed Lady Superintendent in August 1853, one year before she went to the Crimea and gained international renoun. In 1910, a national memorial to Miss Nightingale was planned and the hospital was allowed to change its name to The Florence Nightingale Hospital for Invalid Gentlewomen.

For 64 years the hospital continued its work but it was eventually sold due to rising costs and inflation. With the approval of the Charity Commission, the sale funded a new charity, The Florence Nightingale Aid in Sickness Trust. This was established in 1975 under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who had been the Patron of the Hospital.