The Western Infirmary was planned and built as an integral part of the removal of Glasgow University from the High Street to its present site at Gilmorehill. The Infirmary has served as a teaching hospital since it was opened in 1874. Its initial complement of 150 beds was increased to 350 in 1881 and 630 in 1906-11. A new nurses home was opened in 1891, the Lady Hozier Convalescent Home was acquired in 1893, the Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology was opened in 1936 and the Gardiner Institute of Medicine in 1938. In respect of both laboratory services and radiology the Western has long been proud of its pioneering role. In the 1950s it was agreed that the maintenance costs of the Western's original buildings could no longer be sustained. A rebuilding programme in two phases was authorised in 1964-5 and the 256-bed Phase I was completed in 1974. Phase II was indefinitely postponed in 1975. Since the completion of the 576 bed Gartnavel General Hospital in 1973, the work of the Western Infirmary and Gartnavel General has been closely coordinated. The Western was placed under the Board of Management for Glasgow Western (later Western and Gartnavel) Hospitals from 1948 to 1974 and in 1974 was placed in the Western District of the Greater Glasgow Health Board. In 1993 the Western passed to the West Glasgow University NHS Trust. In 1993 the West Glasgow University NHS Trust was formed. This was replaced in 1999 by the larger North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust which also included Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Gartnavel General, the Dental Hospital and Stobhill Hospital.
From the guide to the Records of the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, 1874-2000, (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Archives)
