THE problems of running Minehead and West Somerset Hospital as a charity in the distant days before the NHS have been highlighted in a recently discovered 79-year-old document which has been given to the town’s community hospital league of friends.

The hospital’s last report, before it was absorbed by the NHS, tells of the ‘anxiety and difficulty’ of not being able to make ends meet.

Somerset Cllr Mandy Chillcott, who is chairman of the current league, said: “It just shows that there is absolutely nothing new about the struggle to find money to help support our hospitals.”

The league of friends continues to raise funds for medical equipment and patient comforts not provided by the NHS.

The recently unearthed Minehead Hospital annual report from 1947.
The recently unearthed Minehead Hospital annual report from 1947. (League of Friends)

Cllr Chilcott said: “And in those days, hospitals were reliant on subscriptions and donations - fees paid by most patients were very small.”

The 1888 grade two listed building, in The Avenue, was built as a public hall and assembly room at a cost of £3,257.

In 1915, it became Minehead Red Cross Hospital, caring for wounded Servicemen, and became Minehead and West Somerset Luttrell Memorial Hospital, known as a ‘voluntary hospital’, in 1920.

It was replaced by the £25 million community hospital off Seaward Way in 2011.

In the hospital’s last report in 1947, Mr G.F. Luttrell, chairman of the management committee, said: “The past year has become one of anxiety and difficulty, the anxiety being chiefly financial.

“Every month has seen expenditure exceeding income by approximately £200 with the subsequent increase in the bank overdraft from £278 in January to £2,328 at the end of the year.

The old Minehead hospital, in The Avenue, shown on an undated picture postcard.
The old Minehead hospital, in The Avenue, shown on an undated picture postcard. (Contributed)

“Subscriptions have not been forthcoming to the extent of previous years and the impending changes under the National Health Service Act are contributory causes of the falling-off of financial support.

“Despite the difficulties, the demands on our many services have been very heavy and have been maintained at a level of efficiency which reflects great credit on every member of the staff.

“The total number of outpatients totalled 9,519 in the past year and the number of in-patients admitted during the year was 1,132.

“A total of 477 operations were performed and 2,065 X-ray examinations.

“Deaths in hospital numbered 63 and there were 124 live births.”

A modern day view of Minehead's old hospital building.
A modern day view of Minehead's old hospital building. (Tindle News)

Patient records in the report showed that, over the year, most patients (355) came from Minehead, followed by Alcombe (106), Porlock (95), Watchet (86), Dulverton (47), Williton (38), Washford (33), Carhampton (26), and Timberscombe (22).

Lowest numbers came from Bicknoller, Kilve, Stogumber, and East Quantoxhead, with one patient each.

The report showed the 1946 income was £14,150.

But this total failed to cover the year’s expenditure of £16,486.

Minehead Hospital League of Friends chairman Mandy Chilcott is to present the town's museum with a recently found copy of the pre-NHS hospital's last-ever annual report .
Minehead Hospital League of Friends chairman Mandy Chilcott is to present the town's museum with a recently found copy of the pre-NHS hospital's last-ever annual report . (Contributed)

The old hospital building was sold at auction for £350,000 in 2015 to businessman Bill Howard, who had plans for a community hub.

Today, it is unoccupied and is for sale for more than £450,000.

Cllr Chillcott said she will be offering the report to Minehead Museum.

She said: “The building holds memories for a lot of people and this document is a piece of living history.”