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bharchives.bsky.social
Barts Health Archives
@bharchives.bsky.social
14K followers 250 following 220 posts
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
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bharchives.bsky.social
New to our collections? Want guidance on where to start? Check out our suite of research guides!

Now with 3 *new* guides, developed with students from the @qmul.bsky.social QHeritage programme, on Activism; 'External Midwifery'; & Annexes and Convalescent Homes

www.calmview.co.uk/BartsHealth/...
Leaflet issued by Tower Hamlets Health Campaign, c1984 (RLHTH/X/1/3)
January 29, 2026 at 10:51 AM
bharchives.bsky.social
New on the blog👀
"From Daffodils and Little Folks to Sunny: the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children" - read about the collections and history of a former East London landmark, and the work we're doing to improve access to its amazing archives
www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/archives-blo...
From Daffodils and Little Folks to Sunny | Blogs from the Archives
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children and the development of children's hospital services
www.bartshealth.nhs.uk
January 27, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Reposted by Barts Health Archives
hannahpalmer.bsky.social
My new article was published earlier this week!! It focuses on the gynaecological health of Mrs Glover, the subject of several letters in Elizabeth Gaskell's correspondence between 1853–54, and reveals Glover's original patient record that I found at the wonderful @bharchives.bsky.social. ✨
Verification of a Date in the Gaskell Letters: Mrs Glover’s Original Patient Case Notes
‘Poor Mrs Glover’, wrote Elizabeth Gaskell, ‘[…] the operation is to be today’.1 There are nine letters featuring Mrs Glover and her diagnosis and treatmen
doi.org
January 23, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by Barts Health Archives
bharchives.bsky.social
We have been watching #Amadeus and the opening titles piqued our interest. The animations show the making of catgut, a material used for both musical instruments and for surgical suturing. We've paired some stills with images from our collection to show how catgut was made 🧵🪡

CW: Gore, needles
January 15, 2026 at 11:36 AM
bharchives.bsky.social
We have been watching #Amadeus and the opening titles piqued our interest. The animations show the making of catgut, a material used for both musical instruments and for surgical suturing. We've paired some stills with images from our collection to show how catgut was made 🧵🪡

CW: Gore, needles
January 15, 2026 at 11:36 AM
bharchives.bsky.social
An illuminating interview with key individuals from the East London Health Project, on their role in campaigns against hospital closures in the 1970s👇

Keep an eye out for our new research guide on Patient and Staff Activism to find out more about campaign records in our collections, coming soon👀
sciencemuseum.org.uk Science Museum @sciencemuseum.org.uk · 29d
The NHS is built on a simple and powerful principle: healthcare should be free at the point of use. But that principle has often had to be fought for.

Our latest blog series explores a unique collection of protest posters from the East London Health Project: https://bit.ly/4bnMj9h
January 9, 2026 at 12:49 PM
bharchives.bsky.social
Fascinating to see the @stmarkshospital.bsky.social for work analysing historical bowel cancer specimens.
The hospital archives (reference SBHK) document decades at the forefront of cancer research for many decades, including the world's first familial cancer registry
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Dick Bussey, c1920s, who as an assistant in the Research Department and Pathology Departments at St Mark's Hospital, first set up a paper registry system that recorded the details of individuals with multiple polyps and a family history of bowel cancer, and became the first database for understanding familial cancers (SBHK/HP/9/2/2)
January 9, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Reposted by Barts Health Archives
salvarmyarchive.bsky.social
Reminder to anyone who's interested that the deadline for our collaborative PhD with @qubhistory.bsky.social, on the Salvation Army Rescue Home in Belfast, is this coming Tuesday.
salvarmyarchive.bsky.social Salvation Army International Heritage Centre @salvarmyarchive.bsky.social · Nov 21
We're very excited to announce our collaborative PhD with @qubhistory.bsky.social on the residents of The Salvation Army's Bethel Rescue Home in Belfast in the C19th. Supervised by @elainefarrell.bsky.social (@badbridgetbook.bsky.social)
Applications by 13 Jan 2026.
www.qub.ac.uk/courses/post...
REF: CSHIS01 - HIS-PHD | Courses | Queen's University Belfast
www.qub.ac.uk
January 8, 2026 at 1:43 PM
bharchives.bsky.social
This year, we have retrieved over 1,500 records and objects for researchers, and welcomed over 550 people to the archives. Phew!
Read our last newsletter of 2025, now available in the 'Newsletters and Blogs' section of our website www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/barts-health...
Seasons greetings to you all!
Section from the first page of the Barts Health Archives December 2025 newsletter. The full newsletter can be accessed using the link in the skeet
December 23, 2025 at 12:19 PM
bharchives.bsky.social
Read about our recent Bringing the Collections Closer project in the newly updated case studies section on The National Archives Inclusion Hub! #archives
uknatarcsector.bsky.social UK Archive Sector Leadership @uknatarcsector.bsky.social · Dec 17
We’ve added 5 new case studies and 25 more short examples of good inclusive practice from archives across the country to our Inclusion Hub!

Have a read and get inspired: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sec...
Four young people wearing school uniform and an adult wearing a maroon jacket are gathered around a white table, most are sitting but a few are standing. Behind them stands adjustable mechanical shelving which holds cardboard boxes. On the table sits an open cardboard box. The adult holds a photograph and one of the pupils holds a document. Two of the school pupils wear protective latex gloves.
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM
bharchives.bsky.social
What are your #FestiveTraditions? Do you sing carols like the nurses in this picture from Whipps Cross? Do you bring in the Yule Log every year, like these nursing students?

#ArchiveAdventCalendar #HistMed #HistNursing #YuleLog #Carols
Black and white photo of three nurses wearing uniform dragging branches behind them through the snow, giggling as they do. Black and white photo of a group of nurses in caps and capes stand either side of a patient in bed, singing from chorus sheets.
December 22, 2025 at 10:55 AM
bharchives.bsky.social
The wards in St Bartholomew's were kept warm with fire places, as you can see in this 1920s ward photo. Here are entries in the Governors minutes contracting Joseph Newland to provide 'old and small cole' to the hospital in the 1690s

#ArchiveAdventCalendar #WarmFire #Archives #History
Black and white photo showing a male ward with parquet flooring, rugs, beds and chairs. The patient's beds are decorated with holly. Patients are sitting up in bed and two nurses are standing towards the back. On the right hand side of the photo is a fireplace, also decorated with holly. Warm Fire - Photo of the top of a book page written in 17th century handwriting. It reads 'Agreed with Joseph Newland to Serve this house with old Cole for two and twenty pence per sack".
December 22, 2025 at 10:54 AM
bharchives.bsky.social
In March 1468/9 the five bells of St Nicholas Shambles Church were hallowed and named - Thomas, Margaret, Trinity, Marie and Nicholas 🔔🔔

Some of the parish's archives were acquired by Barts after the transfer of the endowments of the parish to the Hospital in 1547.

#ArchiveAdventCalendar #Bells
SBHSNC/1 - A photo of a piece of parchment with intricate handwriting on it. The starting letter, I, has been drawn intricately in red and blue with many swirls and drawings coming off it. The text reads - In the year of our Lord 1448 and in the year of the reign of King Edward the 4th after the conquest the 9th year in month of March the 15th Day Master John Pyththe Suffagan of London hallowed solemnly be note in the Church of Saint Nicholas of Fleshhammels. 5 Bells now hanging in the stepitt of the said church the which 5 bells be hallowed and named like as it appeareth here following be waiting. The left bell is hallowed and named Thomas in the worship of St Thomas of [scratched out, probably Beckett]. The 2nd bell is named Margaret in the worship of St Margaret. The 3rd bell is named trinity in the worship of the blessed Trinity. And the 4th bell that is to say the main bell is named Marie in the worship of our blessed Lady. And the 5th bell is named Nicholas in the worship of St Nicholas. And the little housling bell is named Thus. in the worship of the holy name of Thus. And at the time Thomas Eyre being person of the said church and John Wright and William Abett being church wardens.
December 16, 2025 at 10:28 AM
bharchives.bsky.social
Caps are an integral part of the nursing uniform, and these St Bartholomew's nurses have added party hats to accessorise their uniforms 🎄🎄

#ArchiveAdventCalendar #HistNursing #FestiveClothes #Archives
SBHX8/2052 - Black and white photo showing a group of nurses standing round a piano whilst one of them plays. They are wearing their uniforms and little Xmas pudding hats on top of their caps.
December 13, 2025 at 11:34 AM
bharchives.bsky.social
In the 17th Century #DarkNights at Bart's Hospital were brightened with candles, and they were needed in large amounts! This entry from 1672 notes the hospital buying nearly 2000 candles for the year 🕯️

#ArchiveAdventCalendar #Archives #LondonHistory #Candles
Corner of a page from a velum volume with handwriting. Below on a blue background is a transcription which reads "“This day it was agreed that three Tallowchandlers should for this next year serve the Candles to this Hospital…and that very one should serve his proportionable shaire of 160 dozen which was now computed to be made in the next year.” This is taken from SBHB/HA/1/6 which is the Minutes of the Board of Governors of St Bartholomew's Hospital, 1666-1675
December 11, 2025 at 3:37 PM
bharchives.bsky.social
When we think of classic nativity scenes, we think of the traditional festive moon base on Ward 10 at the German Hospital over you’re standard nativity display 🎄🚀

#ArchiveAdventCalendar #Archives #Natvity #HistNursing #Decorations #Christmas
SBHG/HP/6/1/24 - Black and white photo showing a cardboard crafted TV, a nativity scene made up of rockets and astronaut-monkeys is visible inside the TV. SBHG/HP/6/1/25 - Black and white photo showing staff and patients seated in a ward next to a xmas tree and the moon base nativity.
December 9, 2025 at 10:11 AM
bharchives.bsky.social
Feast your eyes on these festive cakes from Christmas 1951 at St Bartholomew's Hospital. These photos show how all the food was still made 'in-house' in the hospital.

#ArchiveAdventCalendar #Archives #HistMed #FestiveFood #Cake #Christmas
SBHX8/2144 - Black and white photo showing a man wearing chefs whites and a chef hat piping icing onto christmas cakes. SBHX8/2146 - Black and white photo showing a group of nurses sitting around a table which is heaving with sandwiches, cups of tea, crackers, fruit and a large christmas cake. There are decorations around the window in the background.
December 8, 2025 at 10:42 AM
bharchives.bsky.social
In 1868 Charles Dickens wrote an article, 'A Small Star in the East' about the East London Hospital for Children to encourage subscriptions and donations 🧵

#Archives #ArchiveAdventCalendar #Star
RLHLEL/X/4 (1) Green paper front cover to the booklet titled 'East London Hospital for Children, Shadwell reprinted by permission of Charles Dickens Esquire, December 19th 1868' RLHLEL/X/4 (2) Green paper middle pages covered in text, with the title "A Small Star in the East", describing Dickens' walk through Shadwell and by the hospital. RLHLEL/X/4 (3) Green paper back page from the booklet, also covered in text describing Dickens' walk through Shadwell and by the hospital.
December 7, 2025 at 11:29 AM
bharchives.bsky.social
Raymond Welch studied medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, qualifying in January 1942. Here he is ice skating on the frozen fountain in Barts Hospital square, c.1938 ⛸️

#ArchiveAdventCalendar #WinterSports #IceSkating #Fountain #IceRink
SBHPP/RWE/1 - Black and white photograph of Raymond Welch ice-skating on the frozen fountain in St Bartholomew's Hospital Square. Two men standing nearby. The North Wing is in the background.
December 6, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by Barts Health Archives
hanblythe.bsky.social
It's advent, so here's a blog I wrote last year about how NHS hospitals have used charity to observe Christmas @bharchives.bsky.social
www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/archives-blo...
Essential Comforts | Blogs from the Archives-Barts Health NHS Trust
Christmas Charity in the Early NHS
www.bartshealth.nhs.uk
December 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM
bharchives.bsky.social
If you haven't already put up your #ChristmasTree maybe you can take some inspiration from these nurses from the German Hospital. Remember, when it comes to decorations, more is definitely more!

#ArchiveAdventCalendar #Tree #Archives #Christmas
SBHG/HP/6/3/13 - Black and white photo showing four nurses in uniform standing in front of a heavily decorated Christmas tree on a ward
December 5, 2025 at 9:52 AM
bharchives.bsky.social
This baton was carried by the leading Sister in the Christmas Choir which sang carols round the wards on Christmas morning. It is inscribed "Carol Carol Gaily, London Hospital"

#ArchiveAdventCalendar #ChristmasCarol #Carols #Singing #HistNursing #Christmas
RLHINV/102 - BATON OF EBONY WITH SILVER FITTINGS INSCRIBED "CAROL, CAROL, GAILY", LONDON HOSPITAL RLHPP/DOL/5/2 - Black and white photograph showing uniformed nurses walking in a processions of pairs through a ward decorated with christmas decorations. The nurses are singing and holding song books and lanterns.
December 5, 2025 at 9:46 AM
bharchives.bsky.social
A nurse delivers presents to the children on Dalziel ward in King George V Block at St Bartholomew's Hospital c.1943

#Archives #HistMed #HistNursing #Presents #SecondWorldWar #ArchiveAdventCalendar #EYA
Black and white photograph showing a sleeping child patient in a white hospital bed. A nurse in uniform is delivering gifts of teddy bears and toy trains.
December 1, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Reposted by Barts Health Archives
dohertyta.bsky.social
#HistNursing call out for @rcn.org.uk workshop volunteers as part of a forthcoming exbibition on #Migration and #Nursing

📢📢

5 December 2025, 4-5.30pm: In-person at RCN HQ London

14 January 2026, 5.30-6.30pm: Online

@rcnhistory.bsky.social

www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-eve...
You’re Invited: Take part in 'Inside Home' a new art installation on migration and nursing | News | Royal College of Nursing
Join a creative workshop and be part of an artwork featured in our upcoming exhibition on the history of migration and nursing.
www.rcn.org.uk
November 13, 2025 at 5:17 PM
bharchives.bsky.social
It was wonderful to hear so many stories from the St Bartholomew's Hospital archives woven together beautifully by Nadia Valman, alongside images of documents and photos from our collections projected onto @bartsnorthwing.bsky.social as part of @beinghumanfest.bsky.social on Monday night😍
A image of the indenture agreement between the governors of St Bartholomew's Hospital and Tobias Preist for carpenter's work for the West Wing, 1748/1749 [SBHB/HA/19/14], projected onto the facade and windows of Barts North Wing A image of the petition of Frances Turner of St Mary Islington for admission to St Bartholomew's Hospital, signed by B Wood, governor, 1828 [SBHB/MR/6/4], projected onto a pillar in the archway of Barts North Wing An image of the profile portrait photograph of Ethel Bedford Fenwick, nee Gordon Manson, former Matron at St Bartholomew's Hospital and a key figure in the campaign for nursing registration, taken 1920s [SBHPP/MAN/28], projected onto the facade of Barts North Wing An image of a black and white photograph of the 1947 View Day procession passing the North Wing of St Bartholomew's Hospital, showing the beadle in ceremonial robe with his staff of office at the front and Matron Helen Dey in uniform behind [SBHB/MP/2/54], projected onto Barts North Wing
November 12, 2025 at 11:17 AM