A History of Bootham Park Hospital previously known as The York Asylum
 
Flighty, melancholic and wild were the words used to describe people admitted to the York Asylum in the 1770s.
 
This asylum, more recently known as Bootham Park Hospital, was only the fifth public asylum to be established in England. It was conceived and built with philanthropic aims.
 
But those aspirations were sadly lost early in its life when the hospital achieved notoriety following publicity about poor care, in contrast to the more caring approach at the world-renowned Retreat hospital, also situated in York.
 
After a local and national enquiry in 1814, things changed for the better and the asylum became an example for others to follow.
 
From the 1950s onwards, as part of the NHS York services, the hospital became a pioneer in the establishment of community care services. But in 2015, it was precipitously closed by the Care Quality Commission after being given just five days’ notice. 
 
Over the course of two and a half centuries the care and treatment of the mentally ill was transformed in fundamental ways. Dr Adams examines these changes and relates them to what was happening in York. 
 
This book is accessible to anyone interested in learning about mental illness, as well as to mental health professionals who want to know more. The history is brought to life, where possible, by the inclusion of examples taken from the records. 
 
Dr Adams worked at the hospital from 1990 until 2014 and is now employed by the mental health tribunal service. He notes that the history of mental health care has not always been one of linear improvement and, after reading this book, you should be able to understand more about what works best in trying to help people suffering from mental illness.