Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital

Reference HB 45
Dates of Creation 1834-1990
Name of Creator Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital (maternity hospital : 1834 -2001 : Glasgow)
Language of Material English
Physical Description 23 metres

Scope and Content

Minutes, 1834-1988;
Photographs, c20th century;
Annual reports, 1857-1960;
Financial records, 1903-1948;
Registers, 1834-1981;
Case notes, 1866-1921;
Microfilms of case records, 1919-1968;
Correspondence and subject files, 1958-1984;
Maps and plans, 1938-86;
Miscellaneous, 1899-1990.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Glasgow Lying-In Hospital and Dispensary was founded in 1834 in Greyfriars Wynd. It moved to St Andrews Square in 1841 and in 1860 to the Rottenrow: it was known popularly as The Rottenrow. Completely new buildings were erected on the Rottenrow site in 1880/81 and a substantial extension added in 1908. These buildings had a bed complement of 108 beds and contained a large lecture theatre and operating theatre for clinical teaching purposes.

A West End Branch was opened at 491 St Vincent St in 1888. This was closed in 1941 having been damaged during an air raid.

The title Glasgow Royal Maternity and Women's Hospital was granted in 1914 and the shorter version adopted in 1960.

A clinical laboratory was opened in 1926 and a new nurses home in 1928. Financial constraints prevented any further expansion until after the formation of the NHS. In 1948 the hospital was placed under the Board of Management for Glasgow Maternity and Women's Hospitals. A new out-patients department was opened in 1955 and during the 1960s and 1970s considerable sums were spent on up-grading facilities and equipment. Nonetheless, in 1966 the Western Regional Hospital Board decided that the age of the buildings and the cramped nature of the site necessitated the replacement of the hospital.

In 2001, Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital moved to the Princess Royal Maternity Unit building within Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Conditions Governing Access
Because of the sensitive nature of much of the information contained in these records there is a 75 year closure period on all patient records. There is a 100 year closure period on records of minors.

Appraisal Information
Appraised according to standard procedures.

Custodial History
In NHS custody prior to transfer.

Accruals
No further accruals expected.

Bibliography
Dow, D. The Rottenrow. History of Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital 1834-1984, Parthenon Press, 1984

Related Material
HB 28, Records of Western Regional Hospital Board, Glasgow, Scotland; HB 55 Greater Glasgow Health Board