Aberdeen trades hospitals

Aberdeen Trades Hospitals were a series of hospitals and almshouses in Aberdeen, Scotland, established from the early 17th century to provide care for the sick and poor of the city's trade guilds. These institutions played a crucial role in the social welfare and healthcare system of Aberdeen before the advent of modern hospitals and social services.

History

The origins of the Aberdeen Trades Hospitals can be traced back to the early 1600s, when the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen—which included the Hammermen (metal workers), Bakers, Wrights and Coopers (carpenters and barrel makers), Tailors, Shoemakers, Weavers, and Fleshers (butchers)—began to establish their own hospitals and almshouses. These facilities were funded by the guilds to support their members and their families in times of need, illness, or old age.

The first of these, the Trinity Hospital, was founded in 1531 by the Provost of Aberdeen, Gavin Dunbar, and was later supported by the Seven Incorporated Trades. Over the centuries, these hospitals expanded their services and buildings to accommodate the growing needs of the guild members and their dependents.

Facilities and Services

The Aberdeen Trades Hospitals were not hospitals in the modern sense but rather a combination of almshouses, where the elderly and infirm could live, and infirmaries where medical care was provided. The care offered at these institutions was primarily for the members of the trade guilds and their families. However, in times of widespread illness or disaster, they often extended care to the wider community.

Each trade had its own hospital or almshouse, and the management of these facilities was the responsibility of the respective guild. The guilds appointed governors or trustees to oversee the administration, finances, and care provided in their hospitals.

Legacy

The Aberdeen Trades Hospitals played a significant role in the city's history, providing a foundation for the development of social welfare and healthcare systems. As the 19th century progressed, the need for more comprehensive healthcare facilities led to the establishment of larger, more modern hospitals. Many of the functions and responsibilities of the trades hospitals were absorbed by these new institutions.

The legacy of the Aberdeen Trades Hospitals can still be seen in the city today, not only in the buildings that remain but also in the continued existence of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen, which remains active in charitable work.

See Also

• History of Aberdeen
• Healthcare in Scotland
• Almshouse
• Guild