Statute Law Repeals - Law Commission - Ministry of Justice

1.26 From its earliest times the Hospital admitted mentally ill patients. Indeed it is
recognised as the world’s first and oldest institution to specialise in the mentally
ill. 35 Today known as the Bethlem Royal Hospital, it 36 forms part of the South
London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. It is situated at Beckenham in the
London Borough of Bromley and provides mental health and substance misuse
services for people living in the London Boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth,
Southwark and Lewisham. 37
1.27 Three enactments relating to the earlier siting of the Hospital in Southwark and in
Godalming are now proposed for repeal.
1.28 The Bethlem Hospital Act of 1810 38 was passed to enable the Hospital to
exchange its existing two leases granted by the City of London for a new lease,
also to be granted by the City of London, on a larger site at St George’s Fields in
Southwark. 39
1.29 Following its move to Southwark in 1810, the Hospital required additional land to
use as an entrance to the Hospital. Accordingly the Bethlem Hospital Act of
1839 40 authorised the City of London to grant the Hospital a lease of two acres of
land in front of the Hospital.
1.30 The Bethlem Hospital Act 1871 41 related to the Hospital’s convalescent home at
Godalming in Surrey and confirmed the home’s legal status. The 1871 Act also
gave the Hospital governors additional powers to maintain the home.
1.31 All three enactments became unnecessary in 1930 when the Hospital moved
from Southwark to its present site in Beckenham. The Hospital governors
disposed of the premises both in Southwark and Godalming. Accordingly each of
these Acts may now be repealed.
35 For much of its history, the Hospital was notorious for cruelty and inhumane treatment to
its inmates. The word “bedlam” meaning madhouse or scene of uproar is derived from
“Bethlem”.
36 Together with the Maudsley Hospital in Camberwell.
37
The Hospital also provides such services for people living elsewhere in the United
Kingdom.
38 50 Geo.3 c.cxcviii.
39 The Hospital needed to move partly because of defective foundations in its existing
premises and partly to permit an increase of patients to 200 or more.
40 2 & 3 Vict. c.20.
41 34 & 35 Vict. c.cxxii.
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