Banner, Save Elsie's

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

22387

Title

Banner, Save Elsie Inglis Maternity Hospital

Description

Banner used at the protest against the closure of Elsie Inglis Maternity Hospital. White cotton banner with painted design on
one side. SAVE ELSIE'S! in red lettering; a stork carrying a bundle with a pink baby holding a plaquard, SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL; tied at sides to two bamboo poles.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1988

Size

H126cm x W180cm. Poles 210cm

Type

Banner

Location

The People's Story

Accession number

HH5796/98

Elsie Inglis was a pioneering doctor and campaigner for women's rights and one of the first women to receive a degree in medicine from Edinburgh University. She was deeply concerned about the appalling housing conditions and lack of maternity services and in 1902 set up the Hospice for Women in the High Street. The maternity hospital in Abbeyhill, which was named after her, opened in 1923 and was a popular respected maternity unit. At the controversial decision to close the hospital, the Elsie Inglis Action Group was set up in 1984 and over the next four years, campaigned against the proposed closure of the hospital.
The banner was last carried on 17 October 1988, at a demonstration outside St. Andrew's House, and the Action Group disbanded after the hospital closed.

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Related subjects

Events > Demonstrations > Protest movements

Events > Event Accessories > Banners and Flags

Healthcare and welfare > Campaigns > Hospital Closure

Healthcare and welfare > Healthcare and welfare facilities > Hospitals

People > Adults > Women

People > Health and safety > Childbirth

People > Health and safety > Doctors