About the hospital
Structure
Wells Hospital and Hospice (Charitable) Trust was formed in August 2006 to take over the freehold of the land and buildings from the NHS. Initially it has run the hospital under license. During 2006 - 2008 the operating company Wells Community Hospital Management Ltd (WHCM) has taken over the running of the hospital, leaving the Trust as Landlord and Fundraiser. In the early days the Trust has funded the running of the hospital (£350,000 in the first 2 years of business), and charitable support will always be needed to support services commissioned by the NHS and others. The next major task facing the Trust will be the campaign for the rebuild of inpatient beds.
The trust is a registered charity with five trustees. The operating company WCHM is a company limited by guarantee with nine directors and 173 members to date, drawn from the local community. Membership is free to anyone with an interest in the hospital and the liability of each member is limited to £1. Members are encouraged to attend the AGM, vote on issues, and offer themselves for office when needed. The whole operation is run as a social enterprise, by the community, for its benefit, and with any profits being returned to the enterprise for the benefit of that community.
A brief history of Wells Hospital
| 1910 | Wells Cottage Hospital built by the estate of the Earl of Leicester supplying all the health needs of the community including major surgery. |
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| 1948 | Wells Hospital absorbed into the NHS on its formation together will most independent hospitals in the UK. Inpatient intermediate care unit with up to 15 beds staffed by NHS nurses and GPs. |
| 2004 | Hospital inpatient beds closed by NHS although physiotherapy continues. An immediate campagn 'Save Wells Hospital' begins |
| 2006 | Following an NHS public consultation the task of developing Wells Hospital 'with beds' is awarded to Wells Hospital and Hospice Charitable Trust (WHHT) |
| 2006 | September 1st Wells Community Hospital, operated by the Trust under license, opens with a wide spectrum of ambulatory services |
| 2006 | Operating company is formed (now Wells Hospital Management Limited) as a CLG and social enterprise. Directors appointed from the local community. A business plan for a hospital with beds is written and submitted to PCT with request for Community Hospital Fund support. |
| 2007 - 2008 | NHS services sought for hospital - partnership slowed by reorganisation of NHS Norfolk |
| 2007 | WCH highly commended in East of England Health and Social Care awards for collaberative work with Queen Elisabeth Kings Lynn Hospital. |
| 2008 | Strategic Health Authority support won for project team to work towards conclusion of original aims. |
| 2009 Spring | Project team and Wells Hospital to report to NHS Norfolk medical executive and Board. |
| 2010 March | Outline Business Case accepted by NHS Medical Executive and Board |