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About Lothian Health Services Archive
The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh appointed its first Archivist in 1967 to look after its historical records which date from the late seventeenth 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.
A variety of NHS clinical and non-clinical records date from 1770 and 1594 respectively. Gifted or deposited non-NHS institutional and personal papers have increased the range and depth of holdings, which now occupy c. 3,000 shelf metres. There is also a photographic collection (c. 40,000 items) as well as older printed books, memorabilia, medical instruments, artworks, silverware and other historically significant objects.
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