The Winchester District Memorial Hospital has a rich history and is fast approaching its 60th Anniversary.

The Hon. Russel T. Kelley Ontario Minister of Health officially opened the Hospital on December 19th, 1948 before a crowd of interested residents, doctors and local politicians. The local papers were quoted as saying it was "for the relief of Human suffering". The first patient on that day was 10-year old Glendon Loucks, who underwent minor surgery. Four days later on the 24th, the hospital registered its first birth, that of a little girl born to Mrs. Glenn Fetterly of Mountain.

As early as 1944, support for the Hospital was evident. In September of that year, a local physician, Dr. J. J. McKendry, wrote a letter to The Winchester Press, stating that Winchester and District was suffering badly from a lack of hospital accommodations, and called for some immediate action to be taken.

A strong front page editorial followed in the Press calling for local politicians to show some much needed support and leadership on the matter. Success was realized and in March 1945, when a provisional Board of Governors was formed and the charter application was granted. Through the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers, money was raised from local and area citizens (over $40,000 from Winchester residents alone). These donations, along with municipal and provincial grants, made it possible to lay the first corner stone for the new "Winchester Hospital" on October 4th, 1947.

Over the ensuing years, the hospital has experienced several major expansions and continuous updating equipment and facilities culminating in the capital development project of 2008/09.

Today, the Winchester District Memorial Hospital is a busy community teaching hospital that focuses on acute (inpatient) care, ambulatory (day services) care and complex continuing care. Its network with other hospitals, in the region, means that residents are provided with greater accessibility to medical expertise and clinical services that typically would not be available in a small rural community hospital. The Hospital's direction for the future includes a strong commitment to quality healthcare, community awareness and continued support.