Rare bronze plaques show ERI has made Its mark on history

Published on Monday 2 February 2009 08:52

DOZENS of rare bronze plaques charting the history of the ERI over more than 150 years have been dusted off and will go on display at the hospital.

In the unique exhibition to be launched this week documents showing donations made as far back as 1860 will be on show, alongside current murals. The event, which has been months in the planning, is timed to coincide with the NHS' 60th anniversary celebrations.

Among the 40 historic bronze plaques making up the Narratives display will be a record of how coal and shale miners paid more than 400,000 out of their wages between 1918 and 1948 so they could have the use of beds at the old ERI at Lauriston.

Proof of donations from organisations like ScotMid and the Cinema Trade to secure free or more affordable treatment will also be exhibited.

Irene Young, chairwoman of the staff steering group for NHS Lothian, said: "Not only are the historic plaques beautiful, but they are an important historical record for the hospital and the people of Edinburgh.

"They hint at the personal stories of people treated at the hospital from the 1860s to the present day, as well as telling tales of hard work and dedication, tragedy and loss, recovery and new life."

Health chiefs behind the organisation of the event were keen to also bring elements of the modern to the display, and as a result have recruited professional storytellers and artists to oversee new images.

Marie Louise Cochrane gathered tales from staff and patients, and related them to painter Marian Fountain, including working lives, changes in healthcare, lives saved and staff relationships from the 1940s right up to the present day.

Among the memories on show is an account from retired surgeon Iain MacLaren, who began training at the ERI 60 years ago.

He said: "It would be easy to hark back to the good old days and regret some of the many changes I have seen in my working lifetime, but there is no doubt that conditions are infinitely better now than they were 60 years ago. Medical science and practice have made spectacular advances."

Another former nurse said: "The food was very good. Ward sisters enjoyed salmon and pheasant and everyone got a three-course lunch."

The show will be officially opened on Friday by the city's Lord Provost, George Grubb, and NHS Lothian chairman, Dr Charles Winstanley.

"This exhibition is a wonderful way to celebrate the history of the ERI," said Dr Winstanley. "Our staff have many fond memories of the hospital over the years and it is excellent to be able to remember them in this way."

The exhibition is a spectacular end to six months of various events in the Lothians, including artwork displays in the other acute hospitals, the Western General and St John's in Livingston.