Website produced and maintained for the Hungerford Historical Association
by Hugh Pihlens

You are in [Themes] [Medicine in Hungerford] [Local Hospitals]

- Salisbury Infirmary opened in 1767,
- Bath Casualty Hospital in 1788 (in response to the  serious injuries sustained to labourers
          working on the buildings which  were being constructed in the city).
- Bath City Dispensary and Infirmary in 1792 (which developed from the Bath Pauper Scheme
          a charity founded in 1747 to provide medical treatment for destitute persons in Bath).
- Bath United Hospital in 1826 (combining the two earlier institutions).

- Royal Berkshire Hospital opened in 1839.

During the Victorian period, even smaller towns built local hospitals:
- Savernake Hospital opened 1866, and
- Newbury in 1885.

Prior to the formation of the National Health Service, it was necessary for small towns to pay regular subscriptions to individual hospitals in order that local residents might be referred there for specialist treatment.

The following illustrate the arrangements made (or not!) in Hungerford:

Letter from Bath Hospital, 1814: "In pursuance of the rules of this hospital I am to acquaint you that it appears by the Registrar's books that your subscription of £2-2-0 per annum payable on the 9th of September has not been received. Since the 14th day of September 1808 the arrears of which amount to £10-10 0). It is therefore the request of the Court (as we hope for a continuance of our favour) that you will be pleased to pay the same either to the Treasurer or Registrar, and to excuse this application, it being the constant custom of other infirmaries."

There is a receipt dated 1817 from the General Infirmary of the City of Salisbury, 2gns annual subscription.

See also:
- History of Medicine in Hungerford
- Caring for the Poor

Updated: 6.10.2011

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