The History books tell us Bootle General Hospital began life as a dispensary in 1846. Bootle's population had grown so much by the 1860's that it became necessary to build a hospital.

 

The first Bootle Borough Hospital opened in a house on Berry Street in 1866. It had room for just five emergency cases.

 

As Bootle's population continued to grow in the late 19th century a larger hospital was needed.

 

The 15th Earl of Derby donated a plot of land for a new hospital on Derby Road and the new Bootle Borough Hospital was officially opened by him on 10 April 1872. This building cost £4200 to build.

 

In 1877 a new wing was officially opened by Mr T.H. Ismay and the following year the old hospital wing was renovated. These renovations were paid for by public subscription to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

 

Bootle hospital was the first voluntary hospital in England to provide an ambulance service. In 1889 a Mr W.A. Matheson presented the hospital with a horse drawn ambulance.