Leith Hospital holds a significant place in Edinburgh’s medical history. It was a general hospital with both medical and surgical wards, treating adults and children alike. The facility also provided emergency care and a wide range of outpatient services.
Edinburgh1.one tells more.
Early History
The hospital’s story began in 1851. A significant portion of the funds needed to maintain the hospital was raised by the local Leith community. The newly established institution functioned as both a dispensary and an accident hospital.
James Scarth Combe holds the distinction of being the hospital’s first consultant physician. He was most renowned for his 1822 description of pernicious anaemia.
A Breakthrough in Medical Services
In 1866, the hospital made a genuine breakthrough in healthcare services with the appointment of the first district nurse, a Mrs Brown. She was tasked with diligently carrying out doctors’ instructions and teaching patients’ families how to provide proper care. The hospital’s management covered the costs of Mrs Brown’s training, which required her to study the nuances of the nursing profession and complete special courses at King’s College London.
The district nurse service proved to be immensely popular. By 1877 alone, Mrs Brown had made thirteen thousand home visits.
Expansion
It’s worth noting that the hospital’s success and the large number of patients created a need for expansion.
In 1875, an extension was built to meet the high demand for the hospital’s services.
Another extension followed in 1888, and in 1903, the hospital added a dedicated surgical block.
An Educational Experience
When discussing the hospital’s history, it is important to mention a brief but significant period from its past.
When Sophia Jex-Blake established the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women, the hospital’s management permitted her students to attend the facility for comprehensive clinical training.
Initially, this arrangement worked well.
However, an incident in 1888 marred this progress and ultimately contributed to the closure of Jex-Blake’s medical school.
Sophia Jex-Blake had a rule that students must leave the hospital premises by 5:00 PM. Four students chose to violate this rule, staying after the designated time. After being expelled by Jex-Blake, two of them sued her for wrongful dismissal.
News of the lawsuit quickly spread. At a time when medical education for women was not widely accepted by society, Jex-Blake came under immense pressure. This challenging situation ultimately led to the closure of the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women in 1898.
Key Events
Returning to the hospital’s history, by the early 20th century, it was a busy, modern institution that met a wide variety of the community’s medical needs.
The year 1906 was notable for the addition of highly qualified doctors from the University of Edinburgh to the staff, including Jessie Gellatly and Agnes Marshall Cowan.
When the First World War began, the Leith community was noticeably depleted, as many young men went to the front. Sadly, a great number of them never returned.
As communities began fundraising for war memorials, the people of Leith decided on a unique tribute.
They chose to commemorate their fallen by establishing a children’s wing at Leith Hospital. A fundraising campaign for this idea was launched in 1919, and the initiative received support from numerous philanthropists.
As a result, the new building, designed by George Simpson, was opened in 1927.
The End of an Era
Sadly, despite its long history and vital role in the development of healthcare in Edinburgh, Leith Hospital could not escape closure. The institution ceased operations in 1987, and its buildings were converted into residential properties.
It is worth noting that the local community organised active protests and pickets in support of the famous hospital, but their efforts were in vain. The main building was sold, and many years later, construction began on a community health centre on the site. But that is another story entirely.