About Us

Established in 1960, the League of Friends of Minehead Hospital is a registered charity that raises funds for equipment and services not normally available on the NHS. Until 1948 we had no NHS and therefore relied on generous benefactors to give the hospital some financial support. The local residents that make up the Friends of Minehead Community Hospital today continue to support the hospital through fundraising, received annual subscriptions and legacies.

We in Minehead are justifiably proud of our hospital and know just how lucky we are to have such an asset on our doorstep. In fact, one of our chief goals is to enable patients to be treated locally, instead of having to travel to Taunton, Exeter or Bristol. Of course, some patients will need to take advantage of the specialist facilities in the major hospitals, but many minor injuries and routine appointments can be dealt with in Minehead. Our aim is to help that happen whenever possible.

When the new hospital building opened in 2011, the Friends of Minehead Community Hospital gave £400,000 for upgrades such as better quality rails in the wards. A popular extra was to provide free television sets for the use of patients. The Friends also funded superior hospital beds that made life easier both for the patients and staff, enhanced operating-theatre facilities, and equipment for outpatients and clinics (such as in ophthalmic testing).

The work of the League of Friends of Minehead Hospital continues today. Thanks to generous donations, the League is able to support a wide range of funding applications that benefit the hospital. These include the purchase of equipment to enhance operating theatre facilities, items that improve patient care and comfort, and initiatives that enhance the visitor experience — helping Minehead Hospital to go above and beyond the level of provision offered by the NHS.

For all our latest news as well as details of the projects we have been able to support please visit our Facebook page.