Glen O'Dee Hospital

Glen O' Dee Hospital is situated in the west end of Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is a small community hospital that provides services for the population of Royal Deeside supported by local GPs. It is managed by NHS Grampian.

Glen O'Dee Hospital
NHS Grampian
The original building
Shown in Aberdeenshire
Geography
LocationBanchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom
Coordinates57°3′40″N 2°31′11″W
Organisation
Care systemPublic NHS
TypeCommunity
Services
Emergency departmentNo Accident & Emergency
History
Opened1900
Links
WebsiteNHS Grampian - Glen O'Dee Hospital - Banchory
ListsHospitals in Scotland
The original Glen O' Dee Hospital, nurses quarter internal corridor

History

The original building was commissioned as a sanctuary for tuberculosis patients[1] and opened as Nordrach on Dee Hospital[2] in 1900.[3]

When tuberculosis died down it served as a luxury hotel (when it became "Glen O' Dee"), but was taken over during the Second World War to serve as a billet for troops.[4] In 1955 it became a convalescent hospital.[5] It reprised its role in contagious diseases when a typhoid epidemic hit nearby Aberdeen in the 1960s, but its last use was as a residential home for the elderly before it closed in 1998.[4]

The original building was featured on the BBC's Restoration programme and, although local people compaigned to have it restored, it continued to sit empty and deteriorating.[6] The building was badly damaged by fire on 14 October 2016 with police treating the incident as wilful fire-raising.[4]

A small modern community hospital staffed by GPs now operates on the site.[7] A befriending service was established at the community hospital in 2013 matching older patients ready to be discharged, but lacking confidence to return home, with a volunteer befriender. The volunteers then visit the older patients regularly in hospital and at home after discharge, offering on-going emotional and practical support. Local GPs reported the service had improved the overall health and wellbeing of their patients and reduced the number of medically unnecessary GP visits.[8]

Robert Young Keers FRSE was Superintendent of the facility from around 1950 to 1957.[9]

References
  1. "Glen O'Dee hospital". Banchory Group Practice. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  2. "Nordrach-on-Dee Hospital". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  3. "Community hospitals: Glen O' Dee Hospital - Banchory". NHS Grampian. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  4. "Historic Glen O'Dee hospital in Banchory destroyed by 'wilful' fire". BBC News. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  5. "Anger as A-listed building is sold for luxury flats". The Scotsman. 7 October 2003. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  6. "Boys aged 13 charged over Glen O'Dee hospital fire in Banchory". BBC. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  7. "Glen O'Dee Community Hospital". Banchory Group Practice. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  8. "Befriending project helps older people after discharge". Kincardineshire Observer. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  9. Edinburgh Medical Journal 1982
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