Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has congratulated Perth Royal Infirmary on marking the hundredth anniversary of the opening of the hospital in Perth.
Liz Smith will attend the unveiling of a plaque at PRI.
Liz Smith MSP said:
“I would like to warmly pay tribute to all those who have worked at PRI past and present for the service which they have given to the local community.
“For Perthshire, the development of the national health service saw the Perth City and County Infirmary completed in 1838 by city architect William Macdonald Mackenzie. The hospital saw multiple changes, but eventually proved too small for the growing City of Perth’s requirements. James Miller was then commissioned to design a new hospital and began work in 1912 on the Glasgow Road site, two years later seeing the new Perth Royal Infirmary open its doors.
“Perth Royal Infirmary was opened on July 10th 1914 by King George V and Queen Mary, as part of their Scotland-wide tour. Accompanied by Troopers of the Scottish Horseguards, the Royal couple paraded along County Place amidst a sea of local support. At a time when women did not have the franchise the events that day saw protests from leaflet-wielding suffragettes. Reports state that a startled King was confronted with one of the radical ladies who latched onto the Royal car and was unceremoniously dragged behind it before being arrested. Fortunately, these incidents did not spoil the day too much and Perth Royal Infirmary was opened as planned.
“It is very clear that Perth Royal Infirmary has been a precious asset for the local community, providing not only many local jobs and high quality healthcare throughout its hundred year history, but it has also brought many people together. This centenary provides an opportunity to both thank and acknowledge the staff – both past and present – at PRI. The first class medical care given to patients from numerous communities and backgrounds is a testament to their professionalism and dedication.
“Looking to the future, there are huge challenges in the realms of providing specialised health care which has to reflect changing needs and changing social structures. These challenges have been acutely felt at PRI and we know only too well that there are deep-seated concerns amongst the local community about what exactly this will mean for the future of PRI, particularly in terms of the availability of health services and staffing levels. If the highly successful Hands Off PRI campaign taught us anything, it was the strong bond between the hospital and the local community and I am sure we are all clear that nothing must happened to undermine the ability of PRI to provide what has always been a first class local hospital. I thank them for their service and wish the hospital well in the future.”