Hampstead Provident Dispensary United Provident Institution

Hampstead Provident Dispensary was founded in 1846 by the Reverend Thomas Ainger and others as a sick relief club and self supporting dispensary with 53 members. Benefitted members, who had to be earning less than 25 shillings a week and not be in receipt of poor relief, paid a small weekly sum, while unbenefitted members paid large contributions. The Club was run by a committee of both types of members. By 1851 the membership had increased to 957.

Initially the Sick Club and Dispensary used rooms in New End Workhouse. In 1850 land was purchased at New End using money from collections in all Hampstead churches and chapels in thanksgiving for escaping cholera in 1849. After a further appeal a three storey building opened in 1853. In January 1879 the Hampstead Dispensary, situated in Heath Street, amalgamated with the Hampstead Provident Dispensary operating from the New End premises. A West Hampstead branch opened in 1888 at 33 Mill Lane.

After the passing of the National Insurance Act in 1911 the dispensary declined in importance. It closed in 1948 on the creation of the National Health Service and the dispensary building was sold in 1950.

The United Provident Institution was a friendly society founded in 1847 and with 529 members in 1897. The Reverend Thomas Ainger was an active member of the Committee for Promoting the United Provident Institution in Hampstead. Its Hampstead Local Board, whose activities included a Medical Relief Fund, held their meetings at the Dispensary.