Our heritage

Since 1932, we’ve been providing high standards of care for tens of thousands of patients every year.

Here are the highlights of our journey, and how we became one of the most well-known and respected independent hospitals in London and the UK.

Our history

Scroll to read about some of our achievements and milestones from 1928 to 2025.

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1928

A group of leading medical specialists get together to plan a new nursing home. Their goal is to use the highest possible specifications for medical and building standards. AOA��ƽ̨ is borne.

1932

AOA��ƽ̨ is opened by the Duke and Duchess of York and the first patients are treated. Starting a 90-year history of exceptional medical care in London.

1935

The kitchens open at AOA��ƽ̨ offering a new approach to hospital care, with hotel services standards.

1938

AOA��ƽ̨ grows and new nurses are hired to support the busy maternity ward.

New patient bedrooms are introduced, setting a new standard for comfort and privacy.

A nurse sat next to a bed talking to a patient

1949

Winston Churchill visits Anthony Eden (later Lord Avon) at AOA��ƽ̨.

Winston Churchill coming to the hospital

1963

Another celebrity visitor as actor, Elizabeth Taylor gets treatment at AOA��ƽ̨ after a fall on a film set. She leaves with her knee in a splint to help her recover at home.

1989

HRH Prince Charles opens the physiotherapy department at AOA��ƽ̨.

1991

HRH Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, opens the MRI unit in the radiology department.

Image of a man going into an MRI scanner

2002

TV star Martine McCutcheon opens the latest development at 119 Harley Street.

2005

We are the first private hospital in the UK to trial and offer robotic surgery for prostate cancer using the da Vinci Surgical System.

Nigel Havers opens the new consulting room suites at 145 Harley Street.

Image of three surgeons performing robotic surgery

2007

The Duchess of Devonshire opens the new consulting room building at 5 Devonshire Place.

Members of staff at AOA��ƽ̨ join the Xtreme Everest expedition to investigate how humans adapt to a lack of oxygen at high altitudes.

2010

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opens the new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art Duchess of Devonshire wing cancer facility at 22 Devonshire Place.

Joanna Lumley opens the new consulting rooms and pathology department at 116 and 120 Harley Street.

2011

AOA��ƽ̨ receives the Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

HRH Princess Alexandra opens the new Eye Centre at 119 Harley Street, and is greeted by Professor Robin Williamson.

Image of someone looking up into a machine

2013

Members of staff at AOA��ƽ̨ join the Xtreme Everest 2 expedition, continuing their investigations of human adaptation to hypoxia at high altitudes.

2017

HRH Duchess of Cornwall opens our new state-of-the-art 13 bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), at 20 Devonshire Place. She is greeted by Afonso Varela, our Manager of the Intensive Care Unit.