It is the only NHS hospital dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tropical diseases and travel-related infections.

It employs specialists in major tropical diseases including malaria, leprosy and tuberculosis.

It also provides an infectious disease treatment service for University College Hospital.

[2] In 1920, the Dreadnought Seaman's Society provided funds to allow the establishment of a Hospital for Tropical Diseases,[3] initially based at 25 Gordon Street in London, but evacuated to Greenwich in 1939.

[1] After the Second World War the hospital moved to temporary premises in Devonshire Street in 1947 and, after joining the National Health Service in 1948, it moved to more permanent premises at St Pancras Hospital which were opened by the Duchess of Kent in May 1951.