Cornwall Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cornwall Hospital |
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| U.S. Army | |
Plaque in Cornwall Park commemorating construction of US Army 39th General Hospital, October 1942
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| Geography | |
| Location | Cornwall Park, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 36°53′23″S 174°47′02″E / 36.8896829128506°S 174.78387432524687°E |
| Organisation | |
| Hospital type | Military hospital |
| History | |
| Closed | 1975 |
Cornwall Hospital was a special hospital built in Cornwall Park, Auckland, New Zealand. It was set up by the U.S. Army during World War II. Its first name was the 39th United States General Hospital.
The hospital helped soldiers who were injured during the war in the Pacific Ocean area. After the war, from 1945, the Auckland Hospital Board used it. They provided care for new mothers and babies, and for older people. Cornwall Hospital closed its doors in 1975.
Contents
Building a Wartime Hospital
In October 1942, the U.S. Army needed a place to build a hospital. They chose 26 hectares (about 64 acres) of Cornwall Park. This was allowed because of special rules during wartime.
The hospital was built very quickly by a company called Fletcher Construction. It opened on February 4, 1943.
What the Hospital Looked Like
The hospital had 123 buildings that were made in advance and put together on site. It had 48 wards for patients. There were also special rooms for clinics and surgeries. Staff had their own places to relax and sleep.
The hospital could care for over 1000 patients at one time. More than 60 doctors and 143 nurses worked there. Hundreds of other staff members also helped.
Who the Hospital Helped
Injured soldiers arrived in Auckland on special hospital ships. They came from places like New Caledonia, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu (which was called the New Hebrides then), and Fiji. These were places where battles happened in the Pacific.
After the War
The U.S. Army hospital closed on November 20, 1944. But the buildings were still there. The New Zealand government and the Auckland Hospital Board decided to use them.
They agreed that the hospital buildings could be used by the Hospital Board for six years. No new buildings could be added. The government also promised to remove all the buildings and fix the land after six years.
The Auckland Hospital Board needed more space for patients. So, they used Cornwall Hospital for maternity (new mothers and babies) and geriatric (older people) care. The hospital stayed open much longer than planned, finally closing in 1975.
Care for Older People
Before Cornwall Hospital, older people in Auckland received care at a place called the Costley Home for the Aged Poor. This was at Green Lane. After World War II, Cornwall Hospital became the main place for geriatric care in Auckland.
In 1965, a special day ward for older patients opened at Cornwall. This was the first of its kind in New Zealand. It offered many services, including:
- Physiotherapy (exercises to help movement)
- Occupational therapy (activities to help daily tasks)
- Speech therapy (help with speaking)
- Social activities
When Cornwall Hospital closed in 1975, five new units for older people were opened at other major Auckland hospitals.
Care for Mothers and Babies
In the 1940s, doctors wanted to build a special hospital for women's health and childbirth in Auckland. This hospital would also teach new doctors. Important doctors like Doris Gordon and Douglas Robb helped make this happen.
In 1945, Cornwall Hospital was chosen to be the temporary home for a new women's unit. The first baby was born there on June 9, 1946. This unit was first called the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Hospital. In 1955, it was renamed National Women's Hospital.
By 1963, newspapers reported that 50,000 babies had been born at Cornwall Hospital! In 1964, all maternity care moved to the new National Women's Hospital. This new hospital was built next to Green Lane Hospital.
Hospital Leaders
Many important doctors led Cornwall Hospital over the years:
- Dr J.J. Valentine became the Medical Superintendent in September 1945.
- Dr J.A. Oddie took over in 1948.
- Dr S.C.W. Worseldine from Christchurch became the leader in 1949.
- Dr James Newman took charge in 1952. He became well-known for his work with older patients. He later moved to Green Lane Hospital in 1959.
- Dr Ron Barker followed Dr Newman at Cornwall. He was the doctor who helped set up the special day ward for older patients.
Images for kids
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Plaque in Cornwall Park commemorating construction of US Army 39th General Hospital, October 1942
