Doctor pens history of care at Lothian hospital

A LOTHIANS hospital set to close in two years' time is the subject of a new book.

A consultant who worked at Rosslynlee Hospital for a quarter of a century wrote the book, titled Up By – A History of Rosslynlee Hospital, ahead of its 2011 closure.

The book explores social, medical and technical aspects of the Midlothian facility – which cares for the mentally ill – and was written by psychiatrist Dr Jim Craig.

He said: "It was a great experience for me as I was able to go through the archives, casebooks and the various registers, for example, admissions, staff appointments and of restraint and seclusion.

"It was interesting because the history of the hospital captures Scottish culture – the work ethic, dancing and films on a Saturday night and the compulsory church service on a Sunday.

"It also made me think about technology and what was needed to run a large institution.

"From the clinical side, you've got the changes to services and care over the years."