Barnes Building

Did you know a building dedicated to children’s health now nurtures artistic spirits? This is the Barnes Building, a vital part of Glasgow School of Art. The Barnes Building wasn’t always a space for aspiring artists. It began its life in 1888 as a children’s dispensary. The Glasgow Hospital for Sick Children opened it on West Graham Street. Their aim was simple. They wanted to treat as many children as possible without hospitalization. The dispensary building itself was funded by a grand “Fancy Fair”. The Duchess of Montrose and the Ladies Committee organized this event. They raised over £15,000. Nearly £4,000 went directly to constructing the dispensary. The remaining funds were wisely invested. Architect James Sellars designed the building. It included a dispensing room and a large waiting hall. There were also consulting rooms for physicians and surgeons. An isolation room was available for infectious cases. Upstairs, there were living quarters. The dispensary staff and a ladies’ workroom occupied this space. The dispensary was open daily, except Sundays, from 10 am to 11 am. No referral was needed. If a child was sick and poor, they were treated. The dispensary staff saw around 150 patients every morning. They even had specialists like an optician and a dentist available for consultations. In 1897, the building expanded. A nurses’ home and a lecture theatre were added. The dispensary’s interior layout was also modified. By 1914, the dispensary was a bustling hub of activity. They treated over 13,000 cases. They even performed day surgeries, particularly for tonsils and hernias. Dr. James H. Nicoll, a surgeon at the dispensary, pioneered day surgery techniques there. He performed over 7,000 operations between 1899 and 1908. The dispensary also embraced new technologies. An x-ray machine, donated by Dr. William J. Fleming, was installed in 1901. The dispensary provided a comprehensive service. The nurses even made home visits in the afternoons. They provided continuing care and health advice. They even offered assistance with milk and other necessities to the poorest families. The dispensary remained at West Graham Street even after the hospital moved to Yorkhill in 1914. It continued to serve the community until 1953. After it closed, it was used by the Western Regional Hospital Board’s clinical physics department. Today, the Barnes Building stands as a testament to its history. It continues its legacy of service, now nurturing the creativity of Glasgow School of Art students.