Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital

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Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital is a community hospital located in Buckhaven, NHS Fife. The first phase of the hospital opened in 1909 and the latest upgrade was completed in 2008.Currently, the Wellesley unit provides care for long term conditions and end of life care through 16 continuing care in-patient beds. The hospital is the base for a range of community services, including: dental services, clinical psychology service, community rehabilitation service and 15 day care places, learning disability services, out of hours service and paediatric physiotherapy.HistoryThe original hospital was designed by Alexander Tod and opened on 28 August 1909. It was erected in memory of landowner Randolph Wemyss with his widow Lady Eva Wemyss providing £10,000. The hospital provided care for local people and mine workers injured working in the coal pits. This was also supported through donations from local businesses, churches, individuals and directly from the wages of local miners.In the 1960s, the hospital was extended to the south. The new building housed a geriatric unit, with 60 additional beds and a physiotherapy unit. The building opened on 6 January 1965, several months late.In the 1990s, the general surgery transferred to the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy. A review of services followed in 2002-4.The most recent upgrade was £4.45million, which was opened on 16 June 2008 by Nicola Sturgeon, MSP and Health Secretary. The new services including a men's health clinic, sexual health clinic, a Maggie's Centre outreach facility and integrated paediatric services.It is a setting for nursing students from the University of Dundee to undertake clinical placements. The University of St Andrews also arranges teaching at the hospital.