150 years ago, Lewis did not have a hospital. If a person required medical care or advice, they had to call a doctor to their home.;xNLx;;xNLx;In the 19th century Lewis had a population of around 30 000 who survived mostly by subsistence means. Crofting and fishing provided food and livelihood but there was very little money to spare. ;xNLx;;xNLx;Until 1912, patients were charged for each visit from a doctor as well as for the medicines he provided. There was an additional charge if the doctor had to hire a boat or horse and gig to get to the patient. People unable to afford the doctor’s fee suffered their ailments at home, without medical care.;xNLx;;xNLx;In 1912 the Dewar Committee looked in detail at healthcare in the Highlands and Islands.;xNLx;;xNLx;The Highlands and Islands Medical Service (HIMS);xNLx;The Dewar Committee found healthcare so poor that the government was forced to take action.;xNLx;;xNLx;The first ‘free at the point of care’ healthcare system in the world was established in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland: the Highlands and Islands Medical Service (HIMS). It paved the way for the creation of our National Health Service.;xNLx;;xNLx;There were four hospitals located in Stornoway during the 1800s and 1900s. Each served a different purpose within the community:;xNLx;;xNLx; • Mossend Fever Hospital;xNLx; • Lewis Combination Poorhouse, Coulregrein;xNLx; • The Old Lewis Hospital;xNLx; • Willowglen Sanatorium, (later known as the County Hospital);xNLx;;xNLx;Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, infectious diseases were a major problem on the island due to poor sanitary standards, overcrowding and limited access to medical care. Infectious diseases such as cholera, dysentery, scarlet fever, smallpox and tuberculosis caused many deaths.;xNLx;;xNLx;The Government of the time passed laws demanding that local authorities isolate and treat individuals suffering from infectious diseases.;xNLx;;xNLx;These laws prompted the authorities to build Lewis’ first hospital, The Mossend Fever Hospital.;xNLx;;xNLx;Further information can be found at: http://www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/looking%20back/Stories/Hims.htm ;xNLx;
The Early Medical Men of Lewis 1700-1918
Sir James Matheson (proprietor of Lewis) donated an area of land for Stornoway Burgh Town Council to build an isolation hospital for “Smallpox fever or any other infectious diseases or epidemics”. The Mossend Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Stornoway was the first purpose-built centre for medical care on the island.
Former Lochmaddy Hospital, Kinnear & Peddie, 1882; extensions, 1928, and later. Originally the poorhouse, with a pair of transverse wings on one long elevation, a nepus gable and ashlar mullions overlooking the loch on the other, the stark functionality of this building has been compromised by modern accretions. Until 1968, the Long Island Combination Poorhouse, as it was originally known, had its own herd of cattle, byre and vegetable garden.
Former Hospital of the Sacred Heart, 1893 Domestic-looking cottage hospital built by stonemason Iain Clachair (see p.374) with funds contributed by the Marquess of Bute. Once a prominent landmark among the island's low-lying thatched dwellings, it accommodated a convent and chapel on the upper floor. Extended 1956 and 1985; converted to old people's home, 2006.
This hospital opened in 1896. It was built by public subscription and had: •Two six-bed wards •Rooms for nurses and visiting doctors •A surgery and operating theatre •Kitchen •Administration area •Laundry and mortuary in a separate block
Representatives from the parishes of Barvas, Lochs, Uig and Stornoway combined to organise the building of a Poorhouse for the island.
Tuberculosis was first noticed before 1870, worsened by overcrowded crofters’ housing and the absence of infection control precautions. Tuberculosis is probably the greatest single killer in the history of Lewis.
St Brendan's Hospital, with 5 beds, is located in Castlebay on the Isle of Barra and is in a shared building with a local authority care home facility. It is supported by the local GP Practice to provide care of the elderly and other services.
The Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway was opened in 1992 and took over from the Old Lewis Hospital and the County Hospital in one modern, centralised hospital.
Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh (Uist and Barra Hospital) is located in Benbecula, and was opened in 2001. It provides a local service for the population of the Southern Isles. The hospital has 16 beds plus 4 contingency and 2 Maternity beds, and provides care of the elderly, GP Acute and Midwifery led maternity services. Many of the Consultants from the Western Isles Hospital, and some from mainland Health Boards, visit the Uist and Barra Hospital to provide outpatient services.
We'd love to hear from you. Please send questions or feedback to the below email addresses.
Before contacting us, you may wish to visit our FAQs page which has lots of useful info on Tiki-Toki.
We can be contacted by email at: hello@tiki-toki.com.
You can also follow us on twitter at twitter.com/tiki_toki.
If you are having any problems with Tiki-Toki, please contact us as at: help@tiki-toki.com
Close