The Mayor of Richmond unveiled a hospital’s timeline to celebrate the role it has played in the local community over the years.

Over the past 140 years, Teddington Hospital has played a key role in the local area and to pay tribute to its heritage, a timeline has been put on show to the public, in the main corridor of the hospital.

Created by Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare Trust, who teamed up with the League of Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital and Richmond Council’s Art Service, to look at the building’s past and changing roles from 1874 to the current day.

Stephen Swords, chairman of Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust said: “The timeline will stand as a permanent reminder of the contribution that the hospital and its staff have made towards maintaining the health of local people across Richmond since 1874.

“It is also a history of the support from the community that has been crucial to its existence. I would encourage patients and local people visiting the hospital to view the display and find out more about its fascinating past.”

The project tells the story of the hospital, using archival images and those from personal collections.

Pamela Bryant, chair of the League of Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital said: “I am immensely proud of Teddington Memorial Hospital’s history and of the role that the League of Friends has been able to play in supporting it over many years.

“I hope that together, we can ensure that the timeline serves as a mere footnote in the hospital’s history – and that it will continue to serve as a vital resource for the local community for another 140 years.”

Starting off with four beds at Elfin Villas, Teddington Memorial has grown to become an important pillar in the community today.

Cllr. Lisa Blakemore, Mayor of Richmond upon Thames, said: “Teddington Memorial Hospital has been so important to our borough over the past 140 years and it still is today, providing vital care and support to so many people.

“It has an exciting history and through this inspiring exhibition we can understand how it has been key during many significant milestones in our borough’s past.