List of hospitals and hospital ships of the Royal Navy

List of Hospitals and Hospital Ships of the Royal Navy

The Royal Navy, one of the oldest naval warfare forces in the world, has a long history of utilizing hospitals and hospital ships to provide medical care to its personnel. This article provides an overview of the facilities and vessels that have been part of the Royal Navy's efforts to maintain the health and readiness of its sailors and marines.

Royal Navy Hospitals

The Royal Navy has established several hospitals around the world to care for its personnel. These facilities have ranged from large, permanent hospitals in naval bases to temporary field hospitals.

Permanent Naval Hospitals

• Haslar Hospital - Located in Gosport, England, it was one of the most famous naval hospitals, serving the Royal Navy from 1753 until 2009.
• Plymouth Hospital - Situated in Plymouth, England, it provided medical services to naval personnel for several centuries.
• Stonehouse Hospital - Also located in Plymouth, it was operational from the 18th century until its closure in the 1990s.
• Chatham Hospital - Based in Chatham, England, it served the needs of the navy from the 18th century until its closure in the 20th century.
• Bermuda Hospital - Established to serve the Atlantic Fleet, it was operational from the 19th century until the mid-20th century.

Overseas Hospitals

• Gibraltar Hospital - Provided medical care to personnel stationed at this strategic outpost.
• Malta Hospital - Served the needs of the Mediterranean Fleet from the 19th century until the 1970s.
• Hong Kong Hospital - Supported naval operations in the Far East until the late 20th century.

Hospital Ships

The Royal Navy has also operated a number of hospital ships throughout its history, especially during times of war. These ships were equipped to provide medical treatment and evacuation services.

Notable Hospital Ships

• Britannic - Originally built as a passenger liner, she served as a hospital ship during World War I until she was sunk in 1916.
• Maine - Served during the Second Boer War and World War I.
• RFA Argus - While not designated as a hospital ship, it has a role as a Primary Casualty Receiving Ship and has been used for medical purposes in recent conflicts.

Current Status

As of the latest update, the Royal Navy continues to maintain medical facilities at its major bases and operates vessels with medical capabilities. However, the traditional large naval hospitals have largely been replaced by smaller, more versatile medical units and partnerships with civilian healthcare providers.

See Also

• Military medicine
• Naval warfare
• History of the Royal Navy

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