Discovering the Mildmay line

London's public transport system is more than a way to get from A to B; it’s a living map of the city’s history and culture.

Our Matron and Registered Manager, Teri, while passing through Kew Gardens Station – now part of the newly named Mildmay line on the London Overground – spotted a plaque that celebrates our history and ongoing mission.

The Mildmay line: Honouring a Legacy of Care

The recently named Mildmay line, running from Stratford to Richmond/Clapham Junction in the south, recognises the enduring commitment of the NHS and its smaller healthcare centres in serving Londoners. For us at Mildmay, this acknowledgement is deeply meaningful.

Our story began in the 1860s, when Reverend William Pennefather and his wife Catherine set up an informal help centre in Islington. Catherine, a pioneer in nursing, trained “deaconesses” who provided care during the 1866 cholera outbreak in London’s poorest neighbourhoods. In 1892, the first purpose-built Mildmay Hospital opened in Shoreditch, establishing the foundation of the institution we are today.

From Cholera to HIV/AIDS: Adapting to Serve

Mildmay has always adapted to the needs of its community. After facing closure in 1982 due to size and funding constraints, a long campaign led to our ultimately reopening as Europe’s first hospital for people living with HIV and AIDS-related illnesses. This marked a major shift, positioning Mildmay at the forefront of specialist care during a global health crisis.

The plaque at Kew Gardens also recalls a remarkable chapter in our history: Princess Diana visited Mildmay 17 times from 1989 until her sad death in 1997. Her visits, widely covered in the press, helped reduce stigma around HIV/AIDS, offered reassurance to patients, and brought public attention to a critical health issue. Her influence continues to resonate today.

Mildmay Today: Still a Place of Healing and Hope

Today, Mildmay Hospital is internationally recognised for the rehabilitation and care of patients with complex HIV. We remain a trusted centre for holistic care, supporting both physical and mental wellbeing, and we are particularly valued within London’s LGBTQ+ community.

A Discovery Worth Sharing

Matron Teri’s discovery of the plaque was a moment of shared pride. Seeing Mildmay’s name and story featured on the London Overground is a tangible reminder of the dedication of everyone who has been part of our journey – from our founders to today’s staff, volunteers, and supporters.

Next time you ride the London Overground, keep an eye out for the Mildmay line plaques – a small but enduring marker of our history, resilience, and ongoing care - and let us know if you see any others along the line!

Transcript of the plaque

Mildmay line

The Mildmay line, which runs from Stratford to Richmond/Clapham Junction, honours the tenacity of the NHS and its smaller healthcare centres in caring for all Londoners.

Mildmay opened in the 1860s as an informal help centre organised by the Reverend William Pennefather and his wife Catherine at St Jude and St Paul's church in Islington.

William organised Mildmay institutions to care for the sick and Catherine trained well-educated young women - 'deaconesses' - in nursing. When cholera broke out in 1866, two Mildmay deaconesses volunteered to assist in the East End's poorest slums, areas strictly avoided by other Londoners. In 1892, the first purpose-built Mildmay Hospital opened in Shoreditch.

In 1982, Mildmay was closed owing to its small size and a lack of funding. After a six-year battle, it reopened as Europe's first hospital for people with HIV- and AIDS-related illnesses.

It was visited by Princess Diana a total of 17 times, and press coverage of some of these visits helped break the stigma at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis. The name cherishes the role of the NHS and its smaller healthcare centres in caring for all Londoners.

To this day, Mildmay is still an internationally renowned hospital for the rehabilitation of and care for patients with complex HIV, making it a valued and respected place for London's LGBT community.

Commissioned by Transport for London as part of the London Overground naming project in 2024

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