History of the Medical Services in Weston-Super-Mare

There is evidence of human settlement in Weston-super-Mare through the old and new stone ages into Roman times. The name Weston does not feature in the Domesday Book, but Westonsuper-Mare first appears in the Bath and Wells registry in 1348. The oldest buildings in the area are at Woodspring Priory, founded in 1210. Amongst these buildings is an Infirmary, built in the 15th century. Evidence suggests that such buildings were used for looking after monks, treatment included regular bleeding but there is no evidence of treatment of outsiders. Woodspring Priory fell into disuse in 1537 but after this there are entries in the local Parish records referring to contributions towards "the Hospital for wounded soldiers at Woodspring". The last recorded payment was in 1734. The first known doctor practising in Weston was Dr. Richard Tuckey, resident between 1680 and 1740. In 1716 a Dr. Wallan