Fundraising is important to raise money a wide range of equipment, services and facilities. Whilst this is undoubtedly true today (as demonstrated by the many wonderful stories of fundraising efforts reported in Staff News) it was particularly important 80 years ago when the community of Stirling set out to raise money for its new Infirmary.
One such fundraising event was recorded in May 1939 by the local cinema and shows the Stirling Charities Day, complete with fancy dress procession and charity queen. An image from the short film is captured below and the film is as much a joy to watch today as it must have been to attend this fantastic event back in 1939.
In the days before the establishment of the NHS and the Welfare State, healthcare could only be provided by subscription and was not always free at the point of use.
The following excerpt from the Courier and Advertiser in October 1932, outlines how such a subscription scheme operated:
Stirling Infirmary Scheme
Stirling Royal Infirmary has adopted a treatment scheme with graded scales of contribution.
The new method gives free medical treatment at the Infirmary if subscribers pay 2d a week or 8s 6d per annum. This covers husband, wife and family if under sixteen years of age.
Patients between the ages of 16 and 18 are expected to subscribe 1d per week or 4s 3d per annum. The annual subscription for a domestic servant is 3s.
The scheme is open to all with a salary under £250 per annum. Patients who do not join the subscription scheme will be called on to pay a weekly sum while in the infirmary.
As in the past, necessitous cases will be treated free.
An annual subscription of 8s 6d in 1932 would cost about £25 today.
A salary of £250 in 1932 would be around £19,400 today.
Share your stories and images
If you or your family have any stories about the former Stirling Royal Infirmary, or any local hospitals and NHS facilities across Forth Valley, that you’d be willing to share, please contact Amy Cawood, Corporate Records Manager, amy.cawood@nhs.scot
If you have any leaflets, letters or other items of interest, relating to any of our local hospitals, please consider donating them to the NHS Forth Valley Archives at Stirling University and contact Amy Cawood in the first instance to discuss.
