Porirua Lunatic Asylum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Porirua Lunatic Asylum |
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|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Location | Porirua, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 41°08′28″S 174°49′55″E / 41.141037°S 174.831952°E |
| Organisation | |
| Hospital type | Specialist |
| Services | |
| Speciality | Psychiatric hospital |
The Porirua Hospital was a special hospital in Porirua, New Zealand. It was also known as Porirua Asylum or Porirua Psychiatric Hospital. It opened in 1887 and grew to be the largest hospital in New Zealand for a time. This hospital helped people who needed special care for their mental health. Today, part of it is the Porirua Hospital Museum.
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History of Porirua Hospital
Starting the Hospital Farm
In 1884, land was bought to create a hospital farm. This farm was meant to help patients from Wellington's Mount View Asylum. That hospital was too full. The idea was that patients could do farm work. This work was thought to help them feel better. It was a type of "work therapy."
Early Buildings and Growth
Building started in 1886. The first main building was called H Ward. It was a large, one-story building with 24 rooms. The Porirua Lunatic Asylum opened its doors in 1887. Dr. Thomas Radford King was the first leader. Soon after, Dr. Gray Hassell took over.
By 1905, the hospital had 700 beds for patients. In the early 1900s, about 2,000 staff and patients lived there. This made the hospital very important for the growth of the Wellington Region. By 1928, nurses moved into their own large building. It had two stories and 100 rooms. In the 1940s, about 1,500 people lived at the hospital.
Changes After Earthquakes
In 1942, strong earthquakes hit the Wairarapa area. This caused damage to the hospital. About 800 patients had to move to other hospitals. After this, the main building was taken down. Eleven new, smaller buildings, called villas, were built instead.
Moving Towards Community Care
In the late 1980s, many patients began to leave the hospital. They moved into care in their own communities. This change happened after new ideas about mental health care were shared.
One of the first wards, F Ward, closed in 1977. It was old and not good enough anymore. In 1980, a new center opened called the Puketiro Centre. This center helped children with developmental challenges. In 1987, the hospital celebrated 100 years. The Porirua Hospital Museum opened in the old F Ward to mark this special event.
