Spotlight On… (2): Bruntsfield Hospital

Bruntsfield Hospital had its origins in the Edinburgh Provident Dispensary for Women and Children. It was founded by Sophia Jex-Blake at 73 Grove Street in September 1878 to provide medical care for women in an environment staffed solely by female doctors and nurses. A successful campaign in the 1950s ensured that this ethos was upheld despite the Department of Health for Scotland's wish to appoint male doctors.

 73 Grove Street Dispensary (LHB8/17/1(ii).

When the Dispensary moved to 6 Grove Street in 1885, it was able to provide six beds for women requiring hospital treatment, and the institution changed its name to the Edinburgh Hospital and Dispensary for Women and Children. In 1899, when Sophia Jex-Blake retired and left Edinburgh, the hospital's Executive Committee acquired her home, Bruntsfield Lodge.

After alterations, the lodge provided 18 beds as a small general hospital for women: it gradually expanded and its bed complement reached 72. In 1910, after a number of years of cooperation between the staff of the two institutions, Bruntsfield Hospital amalgamated with Elsie Inglis' Hospice in the High Street. Medical, surgical and gynaecological work was done at Bruntsfield, while obstetric and infant work was carried out at the Hospice. Like the Hospice, Bruntsfield Hospital retained its own dispensary and its own name.

Bruntsfield Hospital (LHB7/17/1(x).

Both Bruntsfield Hospital and the Elsie Inglis Memorial Maternity Hospital were closely connected with Edinburgh's best known medical women. They originated from the wishes of Sophia Jex-Blake and Elsie Inglis to provide medical care for women, while at the same time offering practical experience to young female doctors. Jex-Blake (1840-1912) was one of the first female medical students at Edinburgh University and campaigned for women to be allowed to train in hospitals, successfully obtaining the right for them to receive clinical training at Leith Hospital in 1886. In setting up Bruntsfield Hospital, she was able to ensure medical training for female doctors whilst at the same time providing much needed hospital care for women.

Portrait of Sophia Jex-Blake (LHB8/17/1(i)).

Bruntsfield Hospital amalgamated with the Elsie Inglis Hospital in 1910. From 1948, the Bruntsfield became part of Edinburgh Southern Hospitals group under South Eastern Regional Hospital Board. The hospital remained open until 1989.