Bethlem Hospital. 18th century engraving of Bethlem Hospital at Moorfields, London. The first Bethlem Hospital was founded in the 14th century. Known popularly as 'Bedlam', this was the world's first hospital specialising in the treatment of psychiatric conditions. The buildings seen here were constructed in the late 17th century to designs by Robert Hooke. In 1815 the hospital moved to a building in Southwark, then in 1930 moved to the suburbs of south-east London. Engraving from Chamberlain's 'A New and Complete History and Survey of the Cities of London and Westminister' printed at London in 1770.