In the first half of the 18th century, 11 new hospitals were established in London and another 46 across the country. Endowed hospitals were now a place for providing basic care for the sick, including treating of illness and conditions needing surgery. Some of these hospitals became centres for education and training of future doctors and surgeons.

The patients were looked after by nursing helpers who carried out manual work: washing patients, feeding them and keeping them warm. Nursing sisters were able to treat all patients with herbal remedies. While simple surgery such as removing bladder stones was carried out by physicians.

Another function of the hospital was the issuing of medicine. During the 1770s a number of dispensaries were established e.g. 1776 Public Dispensary of Edinburgh and 1779 Metropolitan Dispensary