These photos were taken in 1993 by photographer Gideon Mendel.
They were taken in London, at Middlesex Hospital, on the Broderip and Charles Bell wards – the UK’s first dedicated AIDS wards.
Mendel took the photos to document the experiences of patients.
The photographic series is called ‘The Ward’. It focused on four men with HIV: John, Ian, André and Steven.
At the time, there was no effective HIV treatment – like the ART medication.
So, shortly after these photographs were taken, the four men died.
But we can see the captured moments of intimacy between patients, family, friends, loved ones and hospital staff.
These wards pioneered a new model of care, focusing on what HIV patients wanted. Their wellbeing was number one.
‘Patient-activists’ took an active role in their own care, working directly with doctors, nurses and other staff to advocate for dignity and agency in their treatment.
Staff didn’t just look after their patients’ medical needs. They looked after their personal and social needs too. They wanted the wards to have a warm, homely atmosphere.
See the photograph with the two men on the hospital bed?
It’s John and his partner chatting.
Jane Bruton, a former nurse and Ward Sister on these wards, says:
“This image of John and his partner epitomises everything we were trying to do in encouraging patients, partners, and family to be themselves.
“As a student nurse, I learned about individualised patient care but never saw it in practice on the wards. But on the AIDS wards we had the chance to make this a reality, compelled by the determination of gay and HIV activists who were fighting against stigma and for the right to high-quality compassionate care.
“This was a radical departure from the norm where ‘doctor knows best’, visiting was restricted and showing emotion was considered unprofessional. As a student, I was reprimanded just for sitting on a patient’s bed to comfort them.
“We tore up the old rule book, flattened the hierarchy between doctor, nurse and patient and established an approach to care based on choice, honesty, human rights and safety.
“We became partners in care.”
Patient needs were number one.
“Of course, working with patients with AIDS was tough.
“We had many deaths and attended a lot of funerals.
“We dealt with difficult and tragic situations and shed many tears, but there were tears of laughter too.”
Jane concludes:
“For me, touch symbolises the ward. Some patients were deprived of human contact and love. So we welcomed patients with a hug, a kiss, a handshake… just as they should be in ordinary life. It also showed we were not frightened.”