LT.2022.8.5 Leanchoil hospital plan detail

STORIES

Mum’s the Word

Leanchoil Hospital played a central role in the care of generations of mothers and babies in Forres and surrounding areas. The first caesarean operation north of Aberdeen was performed at Leanchoil in 1924 and in 1940, it became the first maternity hospital in Morayshire.

Plans for a maternity wing had been discussed since 1935 along with a nursesโ€™ home and other modernisation plans. Work to extend the wards and add sunrooms was completed in 1938 but the maternity wing was completed only after gift of ยฃ17000 made by Lady Grant of Logie. [Fig 1].

Many babies were born at Leanchoil and the hospital also cared for new mothers transferred back from Raigmore Hospital after more complicated births. It was common for mothers to spend a week or ten days resting and recuperating before going home. [Fig 2]. The restful surroundings and personal attention of nurses was central to maternity care at Leanchoil. In the 1980s, plans were put forward to upgrade obstetric care and centralise birth services to Dr Grayโ€™s Hospital in Elgin and to close Leanchoilโ€™s maternity unit. A sustained campaign was launched to save the service was led by local GP James Anderson. [Fig 3]. The battle was successful and led to another ten years of operation although the maternity unit did finally close in 1997 with all services moved to Dr Grayโ€™s.

Figure 2

Figure 1

Figure 3

Listen to Jimmy James talk about his fatherโ€™s involvement in the construction of Leanchoilโ€™s maternity wing.
Listen to Angie McRae talk about her experiences of childbirth at Leanchoil.

Listen to Sandra Falconer talk about her experiences of childbirth at Leanchoil.

LEANCHOIL TRUST CATCHMENT AREA

Leanchoil Trust Catchment Area Forres, Moray
Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Cover for Leanchoil
812
Leanchoil

Leanchoil

Officially opened in April of 1892, Leanchoil served the communities of the area for over 125 years.Before hospital was built on the outskirts of Forres, the only available inpatient accommodation was a small building on Burnside.

Not long now until the big night! Sat Nov 2nd at Grant Park
Please remember this event is run entirely by volunteers but entails a huge amount of planning and logistics to manage, with all money put into the buckets going to support next yearโ€™s event! So your support is greatly appreciated!
*bonfire lit at 6.30pm
*Display by FireworX starts at 7pm
*Leave pets at home
*No sparklers
*For disabled parking ~ you must be parked by 6pm, for safety and to comply with our licensing conditions.
*Disabled Entrance is with a Disabled Badge ONLY and only via High Street onto South Street where you will be directed to disabled parking area.
Plse note a one way system will be in operation and you will be directed where to go and when you leave will also be directed and have to follow a one way system.
*No vehicles will be permitted to go any other route.

๐ŸŽ†๐ŸŽ†We hope you have a fantastic night ๐ŸŽ‡๐ŸŽ‡
... See MoreSee Less

6 days ago
What an amazing achievement! Huge thanks to all the dedicated volunteers that make our town so beautiful. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

What an amazing achievement! Huge thanks to all the dedicated volunteers that make our town so beautiful. ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘ ... See MoreSee Less

6 days ago
Image attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment

Photos from Rotary Club of Forres's post ... See MoreSee Less

7 days ago