WEDNESDAY, 22 OCTOBER, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

Celebrating 40 years of Ninewells Hospital

Ninewells Hospital first opened its doors four decades ago and, to mark this special anniversary, a free exhibition will be on display to capture the many significant developments in healthcare that have taken place at the hospital over the years.

Forty years ago, on 23 October 1974, the official opening of the hospital was performed by Her Majesty, the Queen Mother. The exhibition, created by the Tayside Medical History Museum, is located on the main concourse of the hospital and is timed to commemorate this important date.

Ninewells was the first new teaching hospital to be built in Britain since the 19th century, and the exhibition reveals some of the many pioneering design ideas that made it unique. Rarely seen photos show the construction and testing of different parts of the hospital, which was the largest in the country when it opened.

There have been many changes to the site since it first opened, and the exhibition highlights examples of new technology and techniques that have transformed healthcare in Dundee over the past 40 years – including the introduction of CT scanning, keyhole surgery and IVF treatment.

Over the years, there have also been notable additions to the landscape itself such as the Maggie’s Centre, and the new community garden which recently featured on BBC’s ‘The Beechgrove Garden’.

NHS Tayside Chief Executive Lesley McLay said, “This public exhibition to mark Ninewells fortieth anniversary reflects the many significant developments in healthcare since the first patients were treated at the hospital forty years ago. It also highlights the close partnership that has been forged between NHS Tayside and the University of Dundee over the years.

“The exhibition not only acknowledges the tremendous amount of work carried out by staff on the front line delivering healthcare services, but also the many who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes.”

The driving force behind this unique exhibition has been Matthew Jarron, Curator at the University of Dundee Museum Services, which helps to run the Tayside Medical History Museum.

Matthew explained, “With help from across the hospital, we have been able to gather together many fascinating images, documents and objects that tell the story of this amazing and innovative hospital.

“At a time when the NHS is under increasing pressure, we want to acknowledge and celebrate all the hard work and inspiration that has gone into creating and running Ninewells Hospital which, forty years later, is continuing to deliver healthcare to the people of Tayside.”

The exhibition is in the School of Medicine’s Information Point opposite the reception desk in the main concourse, and will be on show until the end of November.

For further details, contact 01382 384310 or museum@dundee.ac.uk

Contact:

Anna Michie

NHS Tayside

Communications Department,

01382 424138