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.
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.
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.
1921
Board of Astley Ainslie Institution founded.
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.
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.
1930
The Scientific Block opens. This has the most up-to-date equipment, including facilities for X-rays and ‘heliotherapy’.
1932
The houses for the medical superintendent and assistant superintendent, and gate lodges are completed.
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.
1934
de Brisay returns to Canada; Mabel McRae arrives from Canada to become the first permanent OT at AAH.
1936
The Occupational Therapy Pavilion opens, giving workshop space for therapy activities.
1937
The first Occupational Therapy course in Scotland opens at the Astley.
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.
1940
With fewer civilian casualties in Edinburgh than expected, the Astley becomes a general military hospital.
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.
1945
The hospital is given back by the military authorities, along with the extra “hutted hospital” space.
1946
The Astley’s name is officially changed from Astley Ainslie Institution to Astley Ainslie Hospital. The OT course starts expanding student numbers.
1948
The Astley becomes part of the NHS and starts to receive patients from other hospitals as well as the Infirmary.
1951
Two new wards for male and female patients in later stages of rehabilitation are opened, occupying St Roque and Morelands houses.
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.
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.
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.
1965
The Children’s Unit (now the Charles Bell Pavilion) opens.
1976
The Cardiac rehabilitation programme starts.
1979
The Astley’s OT course is transferred to Queen Margaret College.
1983
The Balfour Pavilion for older adults opens.
1983
The Driving assessment service opens.
1992
The national Brain Injuries Rehabilitation Unit opens at the Charles Bell Pavilion.
1994
The British Heart Foundation rehabilitation research unit opens.
2007
The SMART Centre, housing a range of rehabilitation technology services from driving assessment to orthotics and wheelchair services, opens.
