MORE than 140 years of a Headington hospital’s history have been lovingly collected by a member of staff.

Now Martin Harris hopes the book he has made about the heritage of the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centrewill boost the hospital’s charity coffers.

Mr Harris, a finance manager at the Windmill Road centre, decided to turn his love for local history into a project on the NOC ahead of its proposed merger with the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust.

The two organisations have submitted plans to become a joint trust and will find out from the Department of Health whether they have been given the go ahead later this year.

The 90-page book features pictures and memories dating back to the 19th century.

Mr Harris, 44, of Botley, said putting the book together had been very much a team effort with other staff.

He said: “It seemed the right time to chart the history of this prestigious hospital, which moves into a new chapter of its life.

“I have worked here for five years and pulling this book together gave me the opportunity to acknowledge all the staff and people who over the years who have worked so hard to make this hospital what it is today.”

The book will be launched on Tuesday with a signing before the hospital’s annual general meeting.

Mr Harris set about collecting pictures and artefacts from patients, their family and friends, staff and the Oxford Mail.

He said: “The photos tell a story of the people, buildings and events that have been an important part of the hospital’s history from 1871 to the present day.”

NOC chief executive Jan Fowler added: “This book aims to bring together a ‘history in pictures’, of an institution that has come to be known as the NOC with personal recollections in the form of the many photographs which have so kindly been donated.

“The result is a fascinating portrait of the development of an organisation of international repute, which also manages to retain a sense of the individuals who made it all possible.”

Mr Harris will be signing copies of his book in the NOC’s main reception atrium from 9am on Tuesday for anyone who wishes to buy one at a cost of £7.50.

All money raised will go to the hospital’s League of Friends.

The book signing will be followed at 4pm by the NOC’s annual general meeting.

This year Prof Andrew Carr will present ‘Science and Surgery’, a talk based on how to develop new surgical techniques with minimum risk to patients and cost to society, to be held in the Lecture Theatre.