Tag: Western General Hospital

Gavin Hastings to open closing hospital's open day!

Last chance to visit the old Royal Victoria Hospital 

Scots rugby legend Gavin Hastings will kick off an open day at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) on Craigleith Road tomorrow. Saturday’s event has been organised to celebrate the history of the landmark hospital which has provided healthcare services to the local community for over 128 years.

Saturday’s event takes place before services at the hospital are relocated to the new Royal Victoria Building at the Western General and will be a chance for the local community to bid a fond farewell.

The RVH, established in 1894 by Sir Robert William Philip, was originally created as a tuberculosis sanatorium before it evolved into a care of the elderly hospital. A special display of memorabilia and photographs taken throughout the ages will take centre stage during the day, along with attractions including a magician, bouncy castle, tombola with prizes and even a falconry display.

The event takes place on Saturday from 10 – 4pm, with the official opening by Gavin Hastings at midday.

Gavin, who won 61 Scottish caps during an outstanding rugby career, said: “The Royal Victoria Hospital has held a special place in the hearts of the local community for a long time. Being part of this community myself, it is a great opportunity for me to get involved and I would encourage everyone to come and celebrate the history of this landmark hospital.”

The new Royal Victoria Building, built nearby on the Western General Hospital site, has been designed to provide the highest quality healthcare services in a modern setting. It will become a new landmark in healthcare history when it opens, as the first of its kind in Scotland to have all the patient accommodation being single en-suite rooms.

Construction company Laing O’Rourke, who are responsible for the construction of the new Royal Victoria Building, will also provide a display for the open day to show the future of healthcare services for the elderly.

The new building was officially handed over to NHS Lothian last month and the first patients are expected to arrive in June. A second open day will be held to give local residents and interested groups an opportunity to see the facilities in the new Royal Victoria Building.

The Royal Victoria Hospital site will be put on the market this summer.

Relatives sought following Crewe Road fatality

A pedestrian who was seriously injured in a road collision on Crewe Road South earlier this month has died.

Alan Dowling, (64), of Muirhouse View, passed away this morning at the Western General Hospital, where he was being treated for serious injuries he sustained in the collision with a cement mixer lorry on Thursday 5 April.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, and a report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Police are appealing for assistance in tracing relatives of Mr Dowling, and anyone with any information that can help is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on (0131) 311 3131.

Patient dies following hospital fire

A patient has died following a Fire in the Western General Hospital. North Edinburgh News understands that the male patient had gone to the toilet on his ward to have a cigarette when the fire started.

The Fire Brigade were called to extinguish the fire.

A spokesperson for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said “We attended a call at the Western General Hospital on Wednesday to deal with a Fire.  We understand the male had been taken for treatment prior to our arrival, this is now one the Police will deal with following the subsequent death”

Despite this NHS Lothian remain tight-lipped and are keen to separate the Fire at the Hospital from the patients death, Chief Operating officer, Jackie Sansbury said “A small fire broke out in a ward at the Western General Hospital. Thanks to the quick response from staff, all patients were evacuated and returned to the ward”

Sansbury added, “Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service were called to put out the fire and are investigating the cause”