About the hospital
Structure
The Charitable Trust was formed in August 2006 ( initially as Wells Hospital and Hospice Trust) to take over the freehold of the land and buildings from the NHS. Initially it ran the hospital under license. During 2006 - 2008 the operating company Wells Community Hospital Management Ltd (WHCM) had taken over the running of the hospital, leaving the Trust as Landlord and Fundraiser. In the early days the Trust funded the running of the hospital (£350,000 in the first 2 years of business).
The Trust is a registered charity with a maximum of ten trustees. The operating company WCHM was wound up during 2010 with it's role and responsibilities taken over by the Trust. The management structure has been significantly changed in 2010 with the appointment of a CEO to deal with our new emerging role in community health and social care. We are a social enterprise, with any profits being returned to the enterprise for the benefit of that community. To mark the reorganisation, and to better reflect the activities in which we are engaged the Trust has been renamed Wells Community Hospital Trust. Our strategic plan
A brief history of Wells Hospital
You can see some historic pictures of the opening of the original hospital in 1910 in our Gallery area.
| 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 with 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 Elizabeth 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. Mermaid Appeal begins |
| 2011 July | Mermaid Centre for Kidney dialysis opens |