Throughout history, the Order has been a driving force behind medical care. The reintroduction after the dark ages of many key medical approaches are attributed to them. These include highlighting the importance of a caring environment for the sick, hygiene for wounds and food, anaesthesia, and a healthy diet as a component of cure. From the foundation of its first hospital in the 11th century in Jerusalem it now has a network of hospitals throughout Europe. The first in England was founded in Clerkenwell in 1130.

As early as 1693, the Order was active in Foreign Aid Service, sending support to the town of Augusta in Sicily, it was destroyed by an earthquake. During the First World War, Order members and volunteers pioneered hospital trains, caring for over 800,000 sick and injured.

The Order’s work is not just a dim light of past history. It continues to be active, offering medical assistance and help after natural disasters, such as earthquakes, or during and after armed conflict, in countries as diverse as Italy, El Salvador, Vietnam, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

The Foreign Aid Service (FAS), which is run by the British Association of the Order, focuses on work in developing countries and those areas affected by natural disasters and armed conflict. These include replacing basic infrastructure to war-torn areas, hospitals and healthcare in desperately poor regions, and income-generating activities for poor and vulnerable groups, such as women, minorities, refugees and children.

In the past years, the British Association has supported several very exciting and rewarding projects, and you can read about them under the country profile pages