Hospital
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The West Herts Hospital was originally established in a row of converted cottages at Piccotts End in 1827. Its first benefactor was Sir Astley Paston Cooper, who had a country house at Gadegridge. He responded to the increasing pressure from his tenants for medical treatment. By 1831 the hospital had outgrown the original buildings and Sir John Serbright provided £13,000 for a new establishment, known now as Cheere House which was opened in 1832. In 1877 Princess Mary of Teck opened new hospital buildings with room for fifty patients and seven nurses. In 1899 the hospital installed X-Ray facilities, claiming to be amongst the first in England to do so. From 1890 nurses were able to train on the premises and in 1919 its function as a general nurse training school was approved. In 1927 the Marnham Maternity Ward was opened. The Hospital relied on charitable donations, and before 1948, fund raising and contributory insurance schemes comprised its main source of income. Initially a £1 annual subscription or a £10 donation enabled the donor to recommend one out-patient and to become a Governor, and an annual subscription of £5 or more enabled an in-patient to be recommended. By 1869 the donor could recommend for the supply of a truss or elastic stocking. By 1910 the Hospital was in great financial difficulty which was somewhat eased by the 1911 National Health Insurance Act. This resulted in the compulsory insurance of workers who earned less than £160 per annum, which entitled the worker to free medical treatment from the GP with whom he was registered. By early 1913, most of Hertfordshire's doctors had agreed to serve on the 'Panel' and this relieved pressure on the out-patient department of the hospital. In 1932 the hospital introduced a contributory scheme such that participants could receive in-patient treatment and maintenance and free out-patient treatment. The hospital is now a part of the Hemel Hempstead General Hospital.