North Cambridgeshire Hospital

The facility, which was established by Margaret Trafford Southwell, a descendant of the Southwell family who had been tenants at Wisbech Castle, in 1873.[1] It had accommodation for 24 patients, taken from a radius of about ten miles.[2] In 1924 a film recorded a day at the hospital for the East Anglian Film Archive.[3] An outpatients department was completed in 1904 and a children's wing was added in 1936.[4] It joined the National Health Service in 1948.[5] In 1984 Florence Fendick, the last private owner of Wisbech Castle, died at the hospital. [6] In April 2018 it was announced that £8 million would be invested in redeveloping the hospital.[7]

The hospital has a MIU - telephone 01945 468787. This deals with :- Wounds – cuts and bruises (Tetanus immunisation can also be given) Bites – human, insect and animal Minor burns and scalds Muscle and joint injuries – strains, sprains, limb fractures Sports injuries Minor illness eg. earache, sore throat Eye problems [8]

The pathology department building was demolished in 2020 and the department was relocated. A booking system was implemented in 2022 however patients who had been able to arrive and be treated the same day now found that they were required to phone for an appointment. Phone lines were blocked or not answered and appointments not available for weeks ahead. A direct line phone number 01945 488059 is in operation. This service is supplied by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn Foundation Trust.[9]

The Friends of the Wisbech Hospitals is a long established charity organisation, founded in 1953. When it was first formed, the town had several hospitals to support - now the town is left with just one - the North Cambs. The Friends continue to support the hospital itself, the main stipulation being that anything they fund remains in the town so it is available for the benefit of local people. They hold regular events to raise funds to support the staff and patients. Nowadays this can be in the shape of refurbishment projects, redecorating and refreshing old and obsolete equipment, thus enhancing the quality of care that the staff are able to provide. Representatives carry out monthly visits to talk to staff, patients and hospital visitors.[10]

• Official site