What we do
Transforming Lives Through Compassionate Care
For over 40 years, Mildmay has worked to restore health, dignity and opportunity for people with complex clinical and social needs, both here in the UK and across international settings.
Our work has two core strands:
1. UK Specialist Hospital Care
Mildmay Hospital is a small, specialist charitable hospital based in East London and a trusted NHS partner. We provide inpatient rehabilitation and medical care for people with highly complex needs, particularly where mainstream services struggle to respond.
Building on more than 40 years at the forefront of HIV care, Mildmay remains the UK’s only hospital dedicated to supporting people living with complex and advanced HIV-related conditions, alongside other intersecting health and social needs. Our approach combines clinical excellence with dignity, compassion and whole-person care.
Our UK hospital specialises in:
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Rehabilitation for people living with complex and advanced HIV-related conditions, such as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND)
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Step-down medical care for people experiencing homelessness who are leaving acute hospitals but have nowhere safe to recover
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Post-detox inpatient rehabilitation and stabilisation
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Specialist neurological rehabilitation for patients whose immediate medical treatment is complete, but who still need intensive support.
Alongside frontline care, Mildmay plays a vital role in developing and piloting new care pathways, demonstrating cost-effective alternatives to acute hospital care, and sharing learning across the health system.
As part of our holistic approach, patients also have access to chaplaincy and pastoral support, recognising the emotional, psychological and spiritual dimensions of recovery.
2. International Health Programmes
Internationally, Mildmay works with partners to strengthen health systems and improve outcomes for people affected by HIV and other long-term health conditions. Building on decades of experience, our approach prioritises partnership, local leadership and long-term impact.
We focus on sustainable, locally led solutions that support dignity, resilience and lasting change — working alongside communities to build skills, share expertise and embed evidence-based practice.
We work with local organisations and health services to:
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Strengthen frontline healthcare delivery
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Build clinical and organisational capacity
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Support locally led innovation and evidence-based practice
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Improve outcomes for people affected by HIV and related health challenges
Many of the programmes Mildmay helped to establish are now independently led by local teams, reflecting our long-standing commitment to empowerment, equity and sustainability.
Innovation, Learning and Advocacy
We invest in new approaches, evidence and collaboration that help Mildmay and the wider health sector respond to emerging needs. This includes supporting partner-led innovation pilots, sharing clinical and operational learning, and influencing policy and practice around rehabilitation, complex care and marginalised populations.
A shared approach across all our work
Whether in the UK or internationally, Mildmay’s approach is consistent:
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We focus on people with complex needs who risk being overlooked
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We value rehabilitation, recovery and long-term stability, not just treatment
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We invest in learning, service development and partnership
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We work to influence practice by demonstrating what compassionate, specialist care can achieve.
