Aberdeen University was the first in Britain to formally teach medicine. It created the post of “mediciner” and, before 1522 appointed James Cumyne, the burgh medical officer, making him the first Professor of Medicine in the English speaking world. The degree of doctus in medicina (learned in medicine) was first awarded in 1630.
Following criticism of the sale of degrees in medicine and midwifery “for ready money”, the first examination for the M.D. was set in 1787. The present degrees of MB ChB were introduced in 1895.
Anatomy
A monument in Trinity Cemetery near Pittodrie commemorates those who donated their bodies for medical education. Dissection of a human body was the way anatomy was taught. The end of term service in Kings College Chapel with the families of the donors was a moving one. Computers and 3D models are now being used in medical education.
Regius Professors
Surgery (1839)
Medicine (1858)
Physiology (1858)
Obstetrics and Gynaecology (1858)
Anatomy (1863)
Healthcare Facilities in early 20th century
At the turn of the twentieth century the three primary hospitals in Aberdeen were in separate and cramped facilities in the city centre. The Aberdeen Royal Infirmary at Woolmanhill had no room to expand and grow services, whilst the Aberdeen Maternity, previously a part of the Aberdeen Dispensary, Vaccine and Lying In Institution on Barnett’s Close, had moved into a new but still small location at 35 Castle Street in 1900. The Royal Sick Children’s Hospital was nearby, also in a small facility on Castle Terrace. It had long been recognised that the Children’s Hospital was too small and fundraising efforts took place before WW1 to raise money to build on a new site. By 1920, it was clear that Aberdeen Royal Infirmary also needed to expand and relocate.
Joint Hospitals Scheme – Foresterhill Health Campus
Matthew Hay (Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and Chief Medical Officer of Health for Aberdeen from 1888 to 1923), was concerned about the inadequate and out-dated health care provision in Aberdeen, where there existed a growing need for quality health services. He strongly believed by combining the primary hospitals in one location that Aberdeen could build a health care system fit for purpose and able to cope with the changing demands of the new century. His visionary plan sought to combine public health services and medical education in one location and ultimately resulted in the co-location of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital on the Foresterhill campus along with Aberdeen University Medical School.
The Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital opened in 1929. A foundation stone for ARI was laid by the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, in 1928 and the new Infirmary was opened in September 1936 by the Duke and Duchess of York (soon to become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth). The Aberdeen Maternity Hospital opened in 1937, closely followed by the early stages of the Medical School in 1938. Many alterations and additions have been made in subsequent years.
In the twenty-first century, the campus provides high quality health services, education and research.
NHS Grampian have a full range of clinical services in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, the new Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, which opened in January 2004 and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital (the latter soon to be replaced by the Baird Family Hospital).
The University of Aberdeen have the following healthcare facilities:
Suttie Centre for Teaching & Learning in Healthcare, at the heart of the Campus is a joint project between the University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian. It is used by students of various disciplines, healthcare staff, health practitioners and the general public.
The Clinical Skills Centre is equipped with the latest technology and medical simulation modalities, providing a safe environment for students to experience and practise their skills. It also regularly hosts a range of courses including regional anaesthesa workshops, general surgical skills and several national courses including Advanced Life Support. It is recognised by the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) for postgraduate clinical exams and courses.
The Institute of Medical Sciences opened in 1996 and provides for over 350 scientists and support staff in molecular and cell biology research in a variety of fields, working closely with their clinical colleagues.
The Institute of Dentistry has academic and dental care facilities. The first cohort of dental students graduated in 2012. They have an active research community amongst undergraduate and postgraduate students, and staff.
The Health Sciences Building opened in August 2006 and houses the Clinical Research Facility, the Institute of Applied Health Sciences, the Aberdeen Centre for Evaluation (formerly Health Services Research Unit), Academic Urology Unit, Health Psychology and the Epidemiology Group. An Imaging Department is equiped for up-to-the-minute imaging techniques.
The Lilian Sutton Building houses the Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, which continues to develop new techniques and evaluate developing technologies in diagnostic imaging. The current team build on the pioneering work of Professor John Mallard’s team in the creation of new technologies such as PEDRI, Fast-Field Cycling MRI, ultra low field MRI and hand-held PET.
The Polwarth Building, constructed in the 1930s as the original home of the Medical School at Foresterhill, has been extended in the years after the second world war and now houses many academic offices, lecture theatres, research groups and the University Medical Library.
