The NHS treats over a million people a day in England, touching all our lives. When it was founded in 1948, it became the first health system to be free for everyone, no matter their background.
Addenbrooke’s Hospital, established in 1766, became part of the NHS in 1946, helping to build the foundation of universal healthcare.
Explore the role our hospitals have played in breaking new ground in medicine and providing compassionate care to our community.
Historical date
1766
Cambridge's hospital opened thanks to the vision of Dr John Addenbrooke, who left £4,500 in his will “to hire, fit up, purchase or erect a building for a small physical hospital in the town of Cambridge for poor people of any parish or any county".
Addenbrooke's history (opens in a new tab)
Historical figure
1876
Alice Fisher (Nightingale nurse) – Matron of Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Alice was a protégé of Florence Nightingale.
World-leading surgeon
1968
Europe's first liver transplant performed by Sir Roy Calne. In his honour, we have recently named our specialist transplant unit after him.
Roy Calne Transplant Unit (opens in a new tab)
Rosie Hospital
2013
The Rosie Hospital was reopened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on 23 May.
Rosie Hospital history (opens in a new tab)
Historical date
2014
Launch of EPIC, CUH's electronic patient record, the first-of-its-kind transformation in an NHS Trust.
eHospital developments (opens in a new tab)
World-leading science
2017
The clinical trial started for Cytosponge, a 'sponge on a string' test developed by Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald to detect oesophageal cancer earlier.
Cytosponge trial results (opens in a new tab)
World-leading science
2020
Project InnerEye is a collaboration between Microsoft Research, CUH and the University of Cambridge. Consultant oncologist Dr Raj Jena has worked to develop a machine learning tool to speed up preparation for radiotherapy treatment.
Project InnerEye (opens in a new tab)
Quote
2022
“Twelve days ago I met the future. I held the future. I bounced the future on my knee”. Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive of NHS England, highlighting the impact of genome sequencing happening at Addenbrooke's Hospital.
Baby Oliver's story (opens in a new tab)View our photo album
NHS75 Photo Album
