Photo essay: Inside the Tardis-like 60-year-old Scottish operating theatre

NHS Lothian is saying its final farewell to the pioneering Western General department of neuroscience, which attracted worldwide attention over the decades thanks to its unique design and leading role in advancing neurology and neurosurgery.

The post-war built Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DCN) in Edinburgh has been going through a phased move into a new dedicated building in Little France. Staff have admitted the move is bittersweet and “tinged with sadness” as the team say goodbye to a historic building with many fond memories. Pictures by John Devlin

Frank McDermott, who is the clinical lead for neurosurgery at the Western, believes the memories attached to the building will make departing for the final time very tough.
He said: “It will be a sad day because that will be the building closed, and it will never reopen again.
“You feel a sense of pride and history when you work there. It’s a unique building.” — Frank McDermott, who is the clinical lead for neurosurgery at the Western, believes the memories attached to the building will make departing for the final time very tough. He said: “It will be a sad day because that will be the building closed, and it will never reopen again. “You feel a sense of pride and history when you work there. It’s a unique building.”

The Western General Department of Neuroscience opened in 1960 and gained global acclaim because of its world leading facilities and the innovative design of its operating theatres.
Designed by Professor Norman Dott, the theatres included unique reflector vaulted roofs that are a signature of the historic ward. — The Western General Department of Neuroscience opened in 1960 and gained global acclaim because of its world leading facilities and the innovative design of its operating theatres. Designed by Professor Norman Dott, the theatres included unique reflector vaulted roofs that are a signature of the historic ward.

Photo essay: Inside the Tardis-like 60-year-old Scottish operating theatre

NHS Lothian is saying its final farewell to the pioneering Western General department of neuroscience, which attracted worldwide attention over the decades thanks to its unique design and leading role in advancing neurology and neurosurgery.

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