Western General Hospitals Unit

In late 1983 instructions were issued to abolish the district level of management in the Scottish National Health Service. Following on from the recommendations of the Griffiths Report, unit-based management was introduced. Unit General Managers were appointed who, in turn, reported to General Managers at board level.

In April 1992, NHS reforms took effect which sought to differentiate responsibility between the services provided with more responsibility for this going to hospitals and management units; and developing policies to meet health needs and purchasing services from providers which was the responsibility of the Board. The seven units of management were restructured into six new units. Western General Hospitals Unit consisted of Royal Victoria Hospital and Western General Hospital.

In 1993, each of the units made an application to become a NHS Trust under the terms of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990.