Gilbert Bain Hospital

Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia

Shetland Museum picture of the plaque commomerating the official opening

New Gilbert Bain Hospital

Glbert Bain Hospital as it appeared around 1960.
Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives.

Lerwick's New Gilbert Bain Hospital is a gereral hospital, built 1958 to 1960, on the junction of South Road and Cairnfield Road to replace an older building of the same name which had become too small for the needs of the day.
The fundation stone was laid by Robert Ollason, Chairman of the "Board of Shetland Hospitals" on April 21st 1959.
It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother on the 8th of August 1961.

It is Shetland's main hospital and is run by NHS Shetland.

The main facilities at the hospital include:

• Ward 1 - 26 acute surgical beds
• Day Surgery - 8 day case beds
• Rehabilitation - 8 rehabilitation beds
• Ward 3 - 20 acute medical beds
• Maternity - labour suite and 6 maternity beds
• Renal Dialysis - two stations
• Dental Suite
• Theatre Suite
• Outpatients Department
• Accident and Emergency Department

Crowd gathering to watch the laying of the foundation stone

After the ceremony, workmen ensure the stone is straight and plumb

Shetland Museum close up photo of the fundation stone in the finished building

Maternity Unit. Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives.

The isolation ward at Gilbert Bain Hospital, before it was demolished Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives.

This picture shows the corridors that connected the new hospital to the two old buildings Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives.

External Links

• NHS Shetland website

Shetland Museum photo of memorial plaque.

Workmen at the building of the Gilbert Bain Hospital.
Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives.

Gilbert Bain
Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives.

Staff on the old Gilbert Bain Hospital ca. 1940.
Names can be found by clicking on the picture.
Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives.

Old Gilbert Bain Hospital

The original Gilbert Bain hospital, at the junction of South Road and King Harald Street was opened on 20th August 1902.

Gilbert Bain

Gilbert Bain was born in Lerwick on April 29th 1809, and died in Edinburgh on March 23rd 1886.
He was a son of James and Andrina Bain. James Bain was a joiner and auctioneer, born at Ocraquoy. James owned property at the South End of Commercial St. "Bain's Beach" (next to the Queens Hotel), is named after this family.
Gilbert spent his working life in India and Singapore, where he made his fortune. He was unmarried and his sisters inherited his estate. They, Enga and Isabella, were the source of most of the money (approx £5000) it cost to build and equip the hospital in memory of their brother.

The opening of the old Gilbert Bain Hospital Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives.

Gilbert Bain Hospital in the 1920's or 30's. photo from Shetland Museum and Archives.

Outside Gilbert Bain Hospital during the First World War. Matron Margaret McLean at right, and a nurse seated. Two injured servicemen, one of them a R.N. officer. Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives.