About our hospital

Following intense local campaigning, lobbying and support from local volunteers, Wells Cottage Hospital, in Wells-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk coast, re-opened as a partnership between a Community Venture and the NHS in September 2006 under the new name - Wells Community Hospital.

How the hospital is structured

Wells Community Hospital belongs to and is managed by a new charitable trust called Wells Hospital and Hospice Trust. Day to day running of the hospital will be managed by a new NHS-approved (Social Enterprise) company.

Ownership of the hospital buildings and site is in the process of being transferred to the charitable trust. During the transfer period, the premises are leased to the trust.

NHS run Physiotherapy has continued throughout the bed closure and transfer of ownership. It is a marvellous facility and will form the backbone of the new rehabilitation service.

Services at the hospital are offered to allcomers but most appointments and procedures are booked by local GPs and consultants within the NHS. Wells Community Hospital is an independent hospital which provides mainly NHS care, at no direct cost to patients.

To be seen or treated at Wells Community Hospital, ask your GP or consultant to refer you here (see our services listing for more details).

A brief background

Wells & District Cottage Hospital closed its 12 in-patient beds in December 2004. The closure was met by an immediate and vigourous local campaign to save the hospital, resulting in the formation of a stakeholder group to investigate possibilities for the hospital's future and a consultation process between the community, the stakeholder group and the NHS Primary Care Trusts responsible for healthcare provision in the area. This led to the formation of a Charitable Trust to own and run the hospital and subsequently a Project Group created jointly with the (then) West Norfolk and North Norfolk Primary Care Trusts to assist the transition.