A Dorset Charity with long-standing roots
The Dorset Health Trust has been part of Dorset’s charitable and healthcare landscape for many years.
The Trust was incorporated in 1977 and was originally known as The Dorset Independent Hospital Trust Limited. In 1986, the organisation became The Dorset Health Trust Limited, reflecting its wider charitable purpose and continued commitment to supporting health-focused work across the county.
Brief History of the Dorset Health Trust
After five years of consultation and planning The Dorset Independent Hospital Trust was established in August 1977 by a group of consultants who wanted to add to the existing healthcare facilities on offer and the provision of much needed surgical beds.
After extensive searching a suitable site was found in Herringston Road, Dorchester.
A successful appeal and the generosity of local residents, together with grants from local and national businesses, all contributed to the building and equipping of The Winterbourne Hospital which opened in March 1982.
Once the hospital was established The Dorset Independent Hospital Trust was renamed The Dorset Health Trust in August 1986.
It then became apparent that in order to expand and thrive it would be advantageous for the hospital to become part of an established hospital group. The Winterbourne Hospital was sold to Compass Healthcare PLC in April 1989 and from the proceeds of the sale The Dorset Health Trust received a sum of money based on the amount donated charitably to the original project.
These monies were invested in an Endowment Fund and since then the income has been used, as originally intended, to improve the health and wellbeing of those living in the Trust’s catchment area.
The Trust retained ownership of the land on which The Winterbourne Hospital is built, from which it receives an annual rent.
In addition to funding a wide range of health related charities and projects the Trust ran fund raising appeals to establish the Mammography Service and build The Children’s Centre, both at Dorset County Hospital.
However the Trust’s largest project was the purchase and donation of land, also in Herringston Road, Dorchester, on which a hospice would be subsequently built. Additional funds were provided by the Trust for the administration of the Hospice Appeal and The Joseph Weld Hospice, now known as Weldmar Hospicecare, opened in January 1994. The Trust continues to support their expanding services.
Since 1994 The Dorset Health Trust has given grants to charities and other organisations, both large and small, specifically for the relief of sickness and the preservation of health for the benefit of communities in North, South and West Dorset.