ANOREXIA, self-harm and depression are just a few of the issues addressed at Bethlem Royal Hospital.

The hospital, which is now situated in Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, dates back to 1247 when former Sheriff of London Simon Fitzmary founded the Priory of St Mary of Bethlehem, based in Bishopsgate.

Its inhabitants cared for the poor and needy.

In 1329 the first known reference was made to the place being a “hospice” or “hospital”, and in 1403 the site was first referred to as being used to house people who were insane.

Paul Wilkinson, site co-ordinator at the hospital’s current location, said: “Medically we have come very far from where we were even 40 or 50 years ago.

“We now recognise people have emotions and how to deal with them.

“One in four people can suffer from mental illness.”

By the late 14th century Bethlem had been abandoned by, or possibly confiscated from, the religious order of St Mary of Bethlehem.

In 1547 it came under control of the City of London when King Henry VIII appointed the mayor and residents of London as “masters, keepers and governors” — a role which continued until it was superseded by the NHS in 1948.

People spelt the hospital’s name Bedlam and this is where the word, meaning uproar and confusion, derives from.

In 1676 the psychiatric hospital moved to a new building in Moorfields, now known as Finsbury Circus.

It was the first purpose-built hospital for the insane in the country and visitors and patients were met with two bald-headed and half naked stone figures at the entrance, designed to represent raving and melancholy madness, reflecting the people inside.

People from all over the world visited the hospital and many provoked the patients for their own entertainment.

In 1770 visits by the general public were banned, but strong methods were still being used to control patients.

Bethlem archivist Colin Gale said: “Up until the 20th century there were no drugs which would help calm patients.

“At this stage it was not known how best to deal with them so tools such as hand and neck restraints were used.”

In 1815 the hospital moved to the site of St George’s Fields in Southwark, which today is home to the Imperial War Museum.

Eventually it was decided to move the hospital away from busy central London and an old country estate in Beckenham became its home in 1930.

The current 365-acre site works to help rehabilitate patients so they can return to the outside world.

While at the hospital patients have the chance to paint, sing and do gardening work as well as take part in other activities and treatment programmes designed to help treat them.

To watch a video about the hospital, visit newsshopper.co.uk/news/health WITHIN the hospital is a medium secure unit called Riverhouse (pictured).

It was opened in 2008 at a cost of £36m and houses 89 patients who have either committed serious criminal offences or are just too vulnerable to be housed in other units.

Forensic clinical director Professor Tom Fahy said: “It is built to a very high level of security. Patients do not escape from these secure units.”

Patients are generally in the unit for 18 to 24 months, although some will stay indefinitely.

Prof Fahy added: “There is open space and a gym and also a visiting GP, dentist and hairdresser. It is like a village.”

Patients can also take part in music, gardening, education, IT and art.

RECENTLY two patients from Riverhouse absconded, sparking police hunts.

Convicted murderer Patricia Gillette went on the run after escaping while on escorted leave at the shops in West Wickham on November 13.

Police found the 41-year-old in Streatham.

Ms Gillette killed 38-year-old Mark Murphy at his home in Streatham on August 22, 2006.

Colin Coakley absconded from the hospital grounds on February 6.

The 35-year-old was found in Sussex two days later.