Timeline David Ainslie of Costerton dies 1900 David Ainslie of Costerton dies, leaving a bequest to be invested for 15 years and then found “the Astley Ainslie Institution for the relief and behoof of the convalescents in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh”, named in memory of his nephew, John Astley Ainslie. David Ainslie of Costerton dies The 15 year investment term finishes 1916 The 15 year investment term finishes, but there are restrictions on new building due to the war so it is decided to wait until the war is ended to found the Institution. In the interim David Ainslie’s trustees and Infirmary staff look for a site and discuss the role of the Institution. The 15 year investment term finishes Houses and their surrounding grounds bought 1920 A number of large houses and their surrounding grounds (Caanan House, Canaan Park, Millbank and Southbank), as well as an adjacent golf course, are bought by David Ainslie’s trustees to become the site for the Astley. Houses and their surrounding grounds bought Board of Astley Ainslie Institution founded 1921 Board of Astley Ainslie Institution founded. Board of Astley Ainslie Institution founded The first patients are admitted to Canaan Park 1923 The first patients (14 women) are admitted to Canaan Park, a Victorian villa adapted into a self-contained unit. There is an emphasis on light and air for patients. Dr Mary Mears is the first resident medical officer. The first patients are admitted to Canaan Park East and West Pavilions opened 1929 East and West Pavilions, purpose-built single storey wards with extensive verandahs for 45 female and male patients respectively, opened. The first medical superintendent, Lt-Colonel John Cunningham, is appointed. East and West Pavilions opened The Scientific Block opens 1930 The Scientific Block opens. This has the most up-to-date equipment, including facilities for X-rays and ‘heliotherapy’. The Scientific Block opens Houses and gate lodges are completed 1932 The houses for the medical superintendent and assistant superintendent, and gate lodges are completed. Houses and gate lodges are completed Amy Normand de Brisay sent to give advice 1933 Col. Cunningham had been in discussion with Canadian colleagues about the difficulties in getting trained Occupational Therapy staff in Scotland. As a result Amy Normand de Brisay, head OT of Toronto General Hospital is sent for a short period to give advice on setting up OT services at AAH. Amy Normand de Brisay sent to give advice Mabel McRae arrives from Canada 1934 de Brisay returns to Canada; Mabel McRae arrives from Canada to become the first permanent OT at AAH. Mabel McRae arrives from Canada The Occupational Therapy Pavilion opens 1936 The Occupational Therapy Pavilion opens, giving workshop space for therapy activities. The Occupational Therapy Pavilion opens The first OT course in Scotland opens 1937 The first Occupational Therapy course in Scotland opens at the Astley. The first OT course in Scotland opens The Astley is taken over as part of the Emergency Hospital Service 1939 The Astley is taken over as part of the Emergency Hospital Service, with the expectation of large numbers of civilian casualties from air raids. A “hutted hospital” is built to increase ward space, and the OT course is suspended. The Astley is taken over as part of the Emergency Hospital Service The Astley becomes a general military hospital 1940 With fewer civilian casualties in Edinburgh than expected, the Astley becomes a general military hospital. The Astley becomes a general military hospital Three OTs are recruited from Canada 1941 Three OTs are recruited from Canada, allowing the OT course to restart. Students go on placements to Professor Norman Dott’s pioneering brain injuries unit at Bangour Hospital. Three OTs are recruited from Canada The hospital is given back by the military 1945 The hospital is given back by the military authorities, along with the extra “hutted hospital” space. The hospital is given back by the military Name changed to Astley Ainslie Hospital 1946 The Astley’s name is officially changed from Astley Ainslie Institution to Astley Ainslie Hospital. The OT course starts expanding student numbers. Name changed to Astley Ainslie Hospital The Astley becomes part of the NHS 1948 The Astley becomes part of the NHS and starts to receive patients from other hospitals as well as the Infirmary. The Astley becomes part of the NHS Two new wards are opened 1951 Two new wards for male and female patients in later stages of rehabilitation are opened, occupying St Roque and Morelands houses. Two new wards are opened First International Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists 1954 The first International Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists is held in Edinburgh, largely planned and organized by staff from the Astley. First International Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Tyne Lodge, the first outpatient unit, opens 1955 Tyne Lodge, the first outpatient unit, opens. New inpatient facilities include a model coal face provided by the National Coal Board to help with the rehabilitation of miners, and a model of the back of a bus so people could practice getting on and off. Tyne Lodge, the first outpatient unit, opens The ‘Home Unit’ opens 1960 The ‘Home Unit’ opens. This is designed to offer an environment like patients’ homes where they could practice domestic skills in a realistic setting. The ‘Home Unit’ opens Children’s Unit opens 1965 The Children’s Unit (now the Charles Bell Pavilion) opens. Children’s Unit opens Cardiac rehabilitation programme starts 1976 The Cardiac rehabilitation programme starts. Cardiac rehabilitation programme starts Occupational Therapy course transferred to Queen Margaret College 1979 The Astley’s OT course is transferred to Queen Margaret College. Occupational Therapy course transferred to Queen Margaret College Balfour Pavilion opens 1983 The Balfour Pavilion for older adults opens. Balfour Pavilion opens Driving assessment service opens 1983 The Driving assessment service opens. Driving assessment service opens Brain Injuries Rehabilitation Unit opens 1992 The national Brain Injuries Rehabilitation Unit opens at the Charles Bell Pavilion. Brain Injuries Rehabilitation Unit opens British Heart Foundation rehabilitation research unit opens 1994 The British Heart Foundation rehabilitation research unit opens. British Heart Foundation rehabilitation research unit opens The SMART Centre opens 2007 The SMART Centre, housing a range of rehabilitation technology services from driving assessment to orthotics and wheelchair services, opens. The SMART Centre opens
