Ward in the former Middlesex Hospital, dedicated to the treatment of patients suffering from HIV/AIDS.
When the epidemic began in the early 1980s, there was much misunderstanding about the nature of the illness. Many misunderstood how the disease was transmitted and victims were treated in isolation wards. At the opening of this ward Princess Diana shattered the misconceptions when, without wearing gloves, she shook hands with an AIDS patient.
The ward was named for Francis Broderip (1788 - 17 July 1871) a solicitor of Lincoln's Inn, art collector, and philanthropist. He lived and died at 2 Gower Street. In 1866 he gave £20,000 to the nearby Middlesex Hospital, on condition that the gift was kept secret during his lifetime. He also endowed the Law Society's Broderip Prize. On his death the Hospital received another £20,000 allowing the governors to create two Broderip scholarships. They also renamed the Clayton Ward as the Broderip Ward. Since a new Broderip Ward was opened in 1987 something must have happened to the one named in 1871. Perhaps it was renamed again to honour a new donor.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
