In pictures: Royal Hospital Haslar

Royal Hospital Haslar, in Gosport, near Portsmouth, first opened to naval patients in October 1753. From April, its running will be handed to the NHS.

The first operating theatre opened in the late 1890s. Many patients admitted to Haslar never left, it is estimated up to 50,000 are buried in the grounds.

The hospital laboratory in 1897. Surgeon Commander Edward Atkinson, the RN medical officer to Captain Scott's ill-fated Antarctic expedition, began his career here in 1909.

Haslar's first patients arrived by hand cart but later a tramline was built to move sick sailors from the jetty to the hospital. Many were suffering diseases for which there was no cure.

The Benbow ward at Haslar in 1890. Many sailors were pressed into the navy and when they were discharged for medical reasons stayed on in special wards as pensioners.

Patients in the care of Queen Alexandra Royal Naval Nursing Service. Over the years Haslar has treated casualties from Trafalgar, Waterloo, the two World Wars and the Falklands.

The largest of Haslar's brick-lined sewers was an ideal escape route for frequent deserters in the 19th Century as the hospital was surrounded by iron railings with armed guards.

Patients were taken out for airing in the hospital quadrangle. The canopy visible on the left of the picture was to project extra light into the operating theatre.

A hospital ward pre-World War I. Able patients had to help with cleaning as part of their recovery. During World War II the threat of air raids meant Haslar took emergencies only.

Haslar as it looked in 1970. Although the NHS will now be in charge of running the hospital, military staff will continue to work here until 2009 when it will finally close.

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