| Administrative History | Morningfield Hospital, Aberdeen was founded in 1857 by the trustees of John Gordon of Murtle's Charitable Fund, and other endowments, with the object of providing "moderate comfort and attendance for persons belonging to the town and county of Aberdeen labouring under an incurable disease, incapable of earning a livelihood, with a view to preventing the necessity of such persons becoming a burden to their friends or being obliged to draw receive parochial aid".
The original hospital opened as the "Aberdeen Hospital for the Relief of Persons Labouring under Incurable Diseases" in the house and grounds of Bellville on Baker Street. This estate had been bought for £910 and provided accommodation for ten patients although, because of the shortage of money, it could at first only receive six. Endowments increased, however, and so did extensions to the hospital, including a new wing which was erected in 1867 for "five consumptive patients". By 1872 the hospital contained 26 patients and in 1877 this was increased to 33 with the addition of a further wing.
Owing to developments in town planning, the Town Council of Aberdeen gave notice to the hospital in 1882 that it wished to buy the property of Belleville - giving an offer for £4,500. Because of pressure of numbers and an ever-increasing waiting list, the hospital authorities accepted and in that same year purchased the much superior site at Morningfield. By 1884 the new hospital was ready to be opened for 55 patients - at a cost of £7,000. In 1891 a further wing was added and a porter's lodge built. By 1896 the hospital contained 70 residents and in 1901 further extensions, including a dining hall and recreation room, were completed. Ultimately in 1937 Morningfield obtained a Charter of Incorporation and became a limited company.
Under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act, 1947 (10 & 11 Geo. VI, c.27), Morningfield became, in 1948, part of the Aberdeen General Hospitals Board of Management and from 1965 underwent an extensive programme of upgrading. Since the hospital had catered increasingly for elderly patients from the early 1900's onwards, it is not surprising that it then functioned as a geriatric unit. It celebrated its centenary on the Morningfield site in 1984. The hospital closed in 1998, and the Friends of Morningfield, founded in 1949, were given permission by the Court of Session to redistribute their charitable funds to other similar hospitals in Aberdeen. |
| Description | Minutes, 1857-1918, 1931-1948; Financial records, 1926-1948; Visiting committee reports, 1859-1948; Annual reports, 1866-1945, 1947; Registers of managers, 1937-1948; Register of patients, 1936-1972; Register of nurses in training, 1934-51;Miscellaneous, 1869-1960, including chartularies, 1890-1922, lair certificates, 1915-1932, regulations, 1903, 1909, visitors book, 1928-1951; Painting and photographs of staff, patients and buildings, 1858 - 1955. |