DRI’s entry to the modern age

Today’s vintage picture dates from 120 or so years back, and captures a scene involving staff and patients in the children’s ward at Dundee Royal Infirmary.

Thought to have been taken around 1900, the photo has been kindly supplied by Dundee University archivist Dr Kenneth Baxter. He has unearthed some of the history of the Victorian-era origins of the paediatric facility within the former Barrack Road establishment, which closed its doors after 200 years of operation in 1998.

Dr Baxter writes: “The idea of a dedicated ward for children in DRI, or even creating a separate hospital for children in Dundee, was the subject of much debate in the early 1880s.

“A public meeting was held on the issue in June 1882, where it was stated that medical opinion seemed to be against the idea of a separate children’s hospital but was divided on the desirability of a specific ward for young patients.

“However, it was finally decided by the hospital’s directors in December 1882 that a separate ward would be created for children under 10. The children’s ward was formally opened by Sir John Ogilvy, the president of DRI, on December 5 1883.

“At this time, hospitals like DRI were heavily reliant on donations from benefactors in order to be able to function.

“It is perhaps not surprising that the children’s ward attracted strong support from donors. A number of wealthy citizens of Dundee endowed beds and cots in the ward, with endowments also coming from The People’s Friend and the Dundee and District United Trades Council, among others.”