Ninewells 1974-2014

On 23 October, a special exhibition opened in the main concourse at Ninewells Hospital to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the official opening of the hospital by Her Majesty the Queen Mother.

Ninewells was the first new teaching hospital to be built in Britain since the 19th century, and the exhibition reveals some of the many pioneering design ideas that made it unique. Rarely seen photos show the construction and testing of different parts of the hospital, which was the largest in Europe when it opened.

There have been many changes to the site since it opened, and the exhibition explores some of the new technology and techniques that have transformed healthcare in Dundee over the past 40 years – including the introduction of CT scanning, keyhole surgery and IVF treatment. There have also been notable additions to the landscape itself such as the Maggie’s Centre, and the new community garden, recently featured on TV in The Beechgrove Garden.

The exhibition has been put together by the Tayside Medical History Museum. It gathers together many fascinating images, documents and objects that tell the story of this amazing and innovative hospital. At a time when the NHS is under increasing pressure, we celebrate all the hard work and inspiration that has gone into creating and running Ninewells Hospital.

 
Image left: The newly completed hospital in 1974 (courtesy of NHS Tayside)

Image right: Her Majesty the Queen Mother opening Ninewells Hospital on 23 October 1974 (courtesy of NHS Tayside)

Click the links on the menu to the left to see a visual history of Ninewells.

Visit our YouTube channel to see rare early film footage of Ninewells Hospital