Developments in Patient Care

Middle Ages (c.500-c.1500)

Hospitals were not meant for treating illnesses, rather they were places where the poor, old, orphans, and lepers were cared for.
The Church played a major role in providing care for the sick. Monks and nuns had basic knowledge of care and remedies.
Herbs and plants were used for treatment, known as herbal remedies, which were often based on superstition or tradition rather than scientific understanding.

Early Modern Period (1500-1800)

Barber-surgeons became recognized professionals; they combined the roles of haircutting and surgery, often performing procedures like bloodletting and teeth extraction.
With the establishment of royal hospitals, care for the poor and sick became a little more organized, though effectiveness of treatments remained limited.
Quackery and charlatanism flourished, with self-proclaimed ‘healers’ peddling all sorts of dubious cures.

19th Century

The onset of the Industrial Revolution led to growth of cities and hospitals became places to treat the sick, mainly serving the poor population.
Florence Nightingale’s work during the Crimean War led to major reforms in nursing and sanitary conditions in hospitals.
Public health reforms increased focus on preventative measures like clean water and sanitation, thus improving overall health and reducing hospital admissions.

20th Century to Present Day

The founding of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948 revolutionised access to healthcare, offering treatment free at the point of use for everyone.
The discovery and implementation of antibiotics dramatically improved patient survival rate and revolutionised the approach to treating infection.
Development of technologies such as MRI and CT scanners improved diagnostics leading to more effective treatments.
Modern palliative care focuses not just on treating illness, but also improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.