About LHSA

LHSA's background

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh appointed its first Archivist in 1967 to look after its historical records which date from the late sixteenth century. In 1974 the remit was widened to include all hospitals and services administered by Lothian Health Board. In 1980, Lothian Health Board and the University of Edinburgh, supported by the Scottish Records Office, entered into an agreement to found the Medical Archive Centre (now known as LHSA). It was first located in High School Yards and then moved to the University's Main Library building, George Square in 1988. 

Now the largest NHS archive in Britain, it celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2005.

 

  Hand-coloured engraving of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh