Academic Researchers

Welcome to LHSA

Lothian Health Services Archive holds the historically important local records of NHS hospitals and other health-related material. We collect, preserve and catalogue these records and promote them to increase understanding of the history of health and for the benefit of all.

The majority of our collections are made up of paper-based administrative, managerial and clinical records, however, we also collect private papers, photographs and objects relating to the history of healthcare.

More information about LHSA

LHSA collections

We hold a variety of different types of collections which have come from different hospitals, organisations and individuals.

How to search our collections

Source Lists

Access to records for academic research

A large amount of the material we hold is confidential, for example, patient case notes. LHSA ensures the security of confidential records and manages access to them in accordance with the relevant legislation. However, it is possible to arrange access to confidential records for legitimate academic research, subject to certain conditions.

More information about getting access to confidential records for academic research

Information on access restrictions and legislation in general

Using LHSA collections in teaching

LHSA collections and staff expertise may be useful in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses. For example, in 2008, LHSA collaborated with the Deptartment of Economic and Social History to provide two seminars entitled 'History in Practice'. As part of the seminars, LHSA staff introduced undergraduate students to the services provided by LHSA and the Centre for Research Collections, and gave them an opportunity to look at original archive material in a hands-on problem solving exercise. These seminars will be repeated in 2009, and hopefully annually thereafter.

In 2009, the LHSA Paper Conservator taught part of the CRC-led module 'Working with Collections' (part of the MSc in Material Cultures run by Edinburgh University's Centre for the History of the Book) focussing on 'Conservation and Preservation - Principles and Practice'.

LHSA collection items can be produced in either of the CRC's seminar rooms for classes/workshops.

Involvement and use of LHSA collections in teaching is an aspect of LHSA's services which we are keen to develop, please contact us if you think we could assist in any future classes, or if you'd like to discuss any teaching ideas.

CRC Seminar room facilities

Talks and Tours

LHSA staff can give tours of the Archive and the CRC to interested parties. We are also available to give talks about LHSA, our records, and the work we do. Please contact us for more information.

If you think there is anything we could add to this section of the website, please contact us.