The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Health bosses criticised after bust removed from Montrose hospital.
SCULPTURE: Bust of town benefactor Susan Carnegie was taken from hospital prompting fears about its whereabouts
NHS Tayside bosses have been criticised after it emerged a bust of Montrose benefactor Susan Carnegie was suddenly removed from the town’s infirmary.
For years the piece sat proudly on the second stairwell of the building.
News it was missing was posted on the Montrose Memories Old and New Facebook page with many calling for the work, and any others from the infirmary, to be retained in the town.
The removal of the bust has sparked fears this is another step in a gradual process of preparing Montrose Royal Infirmary for closure, following the loss of the maternity unit and GP beds.
Local author and historian Forbes Inglis likened its disappearance to a grandfather clock which was rescued from going under the auctioneer’s hammer some years ago and is now on display in the health centre.
He said: “It was given to the patients of the infirmary, therefore it never legally belonged to NHS Tayside. If you don’t own it you can’t sell it, so it was presented to the health centre.
“Not everything in the infirmary belongs to NHS Tayside. This bust is part of the history of the town and it should either be donated to the museum or the health centre.”
Susan Carnegie, aided by Provost Christie, started a subscription to raise funds to build the Montrose Lunatic Asylum, Dispensary and Infirmary, the first such establishment to be built in Scotland.
Mr Inglis continued: “She was the driving force behind the first asylum. She was forward looking back in the day, more so because she was a woman.”
Kirstene Hair, Scottish Conservative MP for Angus, said: “Many people locally will fear this is just another step in a gradual process of preparing Montrose Royal Infirmary for closure.
“This type of historical artefact should be treated as an asset for the community. If the bust does not hold pride of place at the hospital, then it should be kept at a museum. It cannot simply be left to gather dust.”
Gail Smith, head of community health and care services for Angus Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The bust of Susan Carnegie, which is a valuable sculpture, was on display in an area of Montrose Infirmary which is no longer being used and which was cordoned off for safety reasons.
“The bust was removed from the area for safekeeping and we are in discussion with Signal Tower Museum in Arbroath who have asked if they can borrow the bust for their Pioneering Women in Angus exhibition to mark the 100-year anniversary of female suffrage.
“We have a very clear policy to follow when we leave any premises and this includes cataloguing all assets and donated items to ensure that they are appropriately rehomed locally or returned to the donator.”