About Erskine
Erskine has been looking after our veterans for over 100 years and is the leading care organisation for ex-Service men and women in Scotland.
Caring for ex-service personnel
The devastation of the First World War highlighted the fact that there were insufficient hospital facilities to care for those who were wounded in battle. Thanks to the generosity of the people of Scotland, the first Erskine Hospital, then The Princess Louise Scottish Hospital for Limbless Sailors and Soldiers, was opened in October 1916.
Of the many thousands of British veterans who were disabled in battle, one in five was treated at Erskine
The desperate shortage of artificial limbs for amputees returning from the war was resolved by the hospital's first great surgeon, Sir William Macewen. Recruiting skilled workers from the nearby Clydeside shipyards, the Erskine limb was soon devised. By the end of the First World War over 2500 wounded ex-servicemen had been fitted with artificial limbs.
Changes for the new century
In April, 2000, The Princess Royal officially opened the former Erskine Mains Home, in the heart of the town of Erskine. With 34 beds, it heralded the completion of the first phase of ‘Erskine 2000’ a strategy to meet the changing needs of the veterans in our care.
Following a high profile nationwide appeal for support, Prince Charles officially opened our new Erskine Home in October 2000. The new building, no longer a hospital, would be a flagship for care of the future. Located on the site of the former nursery gardens, the £16 million centre of nursing care excellence will serve us well for many years.
The Princess Royal has maintained her strong links with us, opening Erskine Edinburgh in 2001, Erskine Park in 2006 and Erskine Glasgow in 2007.
We have also recently completed the build of over 40 veteran’s cottages at Bishopton – suitable for ex-Service people and their families so they can enjoy more independent living together.
Erskine today
Today Erskine remains committed to looking after Scotland's ex-Service men and women for as long as the need is there. An on-going development programme is in place to ensure that we meet the needs of this brave community in the future.
Everyone at Erskine shares the sentiment expressed by Prince Charles during the opening ceremony nearly 20 years ago, "I am very proud of Erskine's strong tradition of caring."
For more information on Erskine please visit www.erskine.org.uk