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The early hospitals in Hungerford:
Mention is made elsewhere about the early "hospitals" in Hungerford:
- The Hospital (Priory) of St John the Baptist (1232- c1546)
- The Pest House (c1700 - c1840)
- The Isolation Hospital (early 20th century)
Photo Gallery:
Savernake Hospital (first opened 1866)
- Savernake Hospital (first opened 1866).
Early hospitals outside Hungerford:
As the understanding of medicine increased during the mid 17th century, so did the teaching of medicine. More hospitals were established, initially in large cities and towns:
- 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 Hospital 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.
The Canal Wharf, 2011