The Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital was founded in 1900 in Codicote Road, Welwyn by public subscription. The Hospital was open to the poor residing within a five mile radius of it. Preference was given to those not receiving poor relief. An authorised Letter of Recommendation had to accompany each patient. Subscribers were entitled to one letter for each guinea subscribed, and two subscribers for half a guinea could receive one letter between them. The Hospital also employed a district Nurse. In 1924 the Hospital moved to School Lane, Welwyn. On 5 July 1948 control of the hospital passed to the Minister of Health, under the aegis of the North West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board.