Celebrating 30 years of Crieff Community Hospital
MONDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER, 2025
Photographs attached:
Photo 1: Crieff Community Hospital staff
Photo 2: (l-r) Healthcare support workers Vanessa Cumming, Rhona Nicoll and Karen Brown, who have all worked at Crieff Community Hospital since it opened in 1995
Photo 3 and 4: Exhibition of past uniforms and equipment, courtesy of The Crieff and Strathearn Museum
Celebrating 30 years of Crieff Community Hospital
Staff, patients and families came together at a special event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Crieff Community Hospital.
NHS Tayside Chief Executive Nicky Connor recently joined staff, patients and members of the local community at the fundraising fete to mark the milestone. The event featured lots of fun activities such as garden games, pop up shops from local businesses, a caricature artist and cake stalls.
The Crieff and Strathearn Museum also set up a trip down memory lane exhibition of medical and nursing equipment and the Comrie Pipe Band and local singer Derek Richardson provided musical entertainment.
The fete raised more than £2800 which will be used to update the hospital’s patient garden.
The community hospital, which was officially opened by HRH Princess Alexandra and first opened its doors in 1995, has an 18-bed medicine for the elderly ward, outpatient clinics, physiotherapy and occupational therapy departments serving Crieff and the surrounding areas.
Built on the grounds of a former train station, the hospital is also the base for the local Community Care and Treatment Service.
Senior charge nurse Craig Paterson said, “We are proudly marking the 30th anniversary, celebrating three decades of compassionate care, community connection and unwavering dedication to the local community. Since opening its doors, the hospital has become a cornerstone of local healthcare – providing vital services with a personal touch that reflects the spirit of the community it serves.
“Many of the hospital staff live locally, and their commitment to the wellbeing of their community shines through in every aspect of their work. From nurses and doctors to allied health professionals, community groups, vital support staff, social care, volunteers and locality managers, the hospital is known for its strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
“Crieff Community Hospital is more than bricks and mortar – it’s a place of healing and an example of what can be achieved when a dedicated team comes together. We’re all proud of its history and even more excited about the future.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate the anniversary and attended the fete.”
Healthcare support workers Karen Brown and Rhona Nicoll have worked at the community hospital since the site opened in 1995.
Rhona said, “I remember thinking that the new hospital was really modern and seemed so big and that I would never find my way around. There have been lots of changes over the years, the uniforms and even the lay out of the hospital itself has changed but we have just rolled with the changes along the way. As much as things have moved on, the sense of teamwork has always been here, it’s a great team to be part of.”
Karen added, “We really feel like we are in with the bricks here after 30 years and enjoy being part of the team. The time has flown by and we have so many good memories over the years – I even visited the hospital on my wedding day 30 years ago as the patients wanted to see me in my wedding dress. The whole wedding party bundled into the car and we visited the ward on the way to the reception! I’ll always remember that. The hospital is a vital part of the community and it really does mean a lot to people living in the area.”
Chief Executive Nicky Connor said, “I was delighted to attend the Crieff Community Hospital summer fete to celebrate 30 years of this wonderful health facility in the heart of the community it serves. Congratulations to the whole staff and volunteer team – what a huge amount of effort went into this event. We are very proud of the hospital’s history, the service it provides to the local community and, most importantly, the staff at Crieff Community Hospital who continue to deliver high-quality care to patients with dedication and compassion.
“Celebrating this significant milestone is a welcome opportunity to not only reflect on the past but also to look forward to its future serving the community in the years to come.”
Chief Officer for Perth & Kinross Health & Social Care Partnership Jacquie Pepper said, “Crieff Community Hospital has provided three decades of vital care to people in the local area and continues to play a key role in the community. The hospital staff foster a culture of excellence, empathy and provide care which is valued by patients and their families. Happy Birthday to Crieff Community Hospital!”
Contact:
NHS Tayside Communications
(01382) 424138
