Prince Henry Hospital, Sydney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Prince Henry Hospital site
Portion of the former Coast Hospital, undated.
Location	1430 Anzac Parade, Little Bay, City of Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1881–
Architect	NSW Colonial Architect; NSW Government Architect
Owner	Landcom
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Prince Henry Site; Prince Henry Hospital; The Coast Hospital
Type	State heritage (complex / group)
Designated	2 May 2003
Reference no.	1651
Type	Hospital
Category	Health Services
Builders	NSW Public Works Department
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The Prince Henry Hospital site in Little Bay, Sydney, was once a very important hospital. It was known as the Prince Henry Hospital and before that, The Coast Hospital. This site is now a heritage-listed area. It used to be a special hospital for teaching and for treating people with infectious diseases. Today, it is part of the UNSW and helps people with spinal injuries. The hospital was built starting in 1881 by the NSW Public Works Department. It was designed by the NSW Colonial Architect. The land is currently owned by Landcom, a government agency. The site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on May 2, 2003.

A Look Back: The History of Prince Henry Hospital

Ancient History: Aboriginal People in Sydney

Aboriginal people have lived in the greater Sydney area for at least 20,000 years. Evidence of their ancient homes has been found in places like the Blue Mountains. Along the coast of New South Wales, signs of Aboriginal life go back 20,000 years. These early sites were further from the sea than they are today.

Some of the oldest sites in the Sydney region are about 7,000 to 8,000 years old. One such site is at the current Prince of Wales Hospital, where a fireplace from 7,800 years ago was found. Many older coastal sites might be hidden or destroyed by changes in sea levels over thousands of years. Most Aboriginal sites found in the Sydney Basin from the last 2,500 years show that people used resources from the ocean.

Evidence suggests that Aboriginal people first lived in Sydney in small numbers. But around 5,000 years ago, more sites show continuous use. This means more people might have lived in the area, or perhaps these sites were better preserved.

Archaeologists have studied changes in stone tools over 20,000 years. Early tools were large cores and scrapers. Around 5,000 years ago, smaller, more detailed tools like "backed blades" were added. By about 1,500 years ago, these smaller tools were less common. Aboriginal people also made tools from shell, bone, and wood, but these usually don't last in the ground.

For a long time, archaeologists mostly studied stone tools and compared coastal and inland sites. More recently, studies focus on how Aboriginal people adapted to the coast. They also look at food, art, and how sites are spread out to understand ancient Aboriginal life.

Early European Settlement in Randwick

One of the first land grants in this area was given in 1824 to Captain Francis Marsh. In 1839, William Newcombe bought land nearby. The area of Randwick got its name from a town in England. Simeon Pearce and his brother James, who were from that English town, suggested the name. Simeon came to Australia in 1841 as a surveyor. He built his home, "Blenheim House," on land he bought and called it "Randwick."

The Pearce brothers bought and sold land successfully. Simeon pushed for a road from the city to Coogee, which was built in 1853. He also helped Randwick become an official suburb. In 1857, the first St Jude's church was built.

Randwick grew slowly at first. It was separated from Sydney by swamps and sand dunes. Travel was difficult, with horse-buses often getting stuck in the sand. Randwick had two main groups of people. Wealthy families lived in large, fancy houses. But working-class people lived on market gardens, orchards, and pig farms. Even on large estates, many workers lived in simple huts. Poor immigrants lived in "Irishtown," an area now called The Spot, in makeshift homes. They did the hardest jobs to survive.

In 1858, the NSW Government passed a law allowing towns to form their own councils. Randwick was the first to apply and became a municipality in February 1859.

Randwick was also a place for sports and even illegal activities. Its first racecourse, the Sandy Racecourse, opened in 1860. In 1863, John Tait created the Randwick Racecourse, which became very successful. He was the first in Australia to organize racing as a business. The racecourse helped Randwick grow a lot. Trams soon connected the suburb to Sydney. Randwick became a busy and successful place, and it still is today.

Why The Coast Hospital Was Built

The Prince Henry Hospital, originally called The Coast Hospital, is important for understanding public health in New South Wales. It was started in 1881 by the Board of Health because of a smallpox outbreak. It was the first public hospital controlled by the government after the convict era. The Board of Health was created to handle the smallpox epidemic. Their involvement helped shape how hospitals were managed in New South Wales.

The hospital was built in an isolated spot because of how people thought about infectious diseases back then. They believed people with infections needed to be far away from everyone else. Also, fresh ocean air was thought to be good for treating illnesses. The Coast Hospital was built with these ideas in mind. It was far from Sydney's crowded areas. Inside the hospital, patients were separated based on their illness. The main part was on the southern headland of Little Bay, where it got lots of fresh air.

Because the Coast Hospital was so isolated, it led to the creation of New South Wales's first complete ambulance service. This service was a pioneer for ambulance services across Australia.

The Coast Hospital cemetery was the second burial ground for the hospital, used from 1897 to 1952. It was located away from the hospital grounds to prevent the spread of disease. This cemetery is still important to the Aboriginal community. It is known as the Dharawal Resting Place. Here, the remains of La Perouse Aboriginal ancestors, returned from museums, can be reburied. The first reburial happened in June 2002. The cemetery is now part of Botany Bay National Park.

The Hospital Becomes Prince Henry Hospital

As Sydney grew closer to the hospital, and transport improved, more people needed the hospital's services. In the early 1900s, a big building program began. Between 1914 and 1920, plans were made to build up to 20 new wards. This showed a growing belief that public health care should be available to everyone. The new wards, built on a slope to the west, were named the Flowers Hospital after the Minister for Health, Fred Flowers.

By 1929, the hospital was the largest in New South Wales. In 1934, it was renamed the Prince Henry Hospital. This was to honor Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester who had recently visited. Because it started as an infectious disease hospital, it became very skilled in diagnosing and treating these illnesses. This expertise lasted throughout its operation. Its long history as an infectious disease hospital shows how people and officials viewed treating these diseases over time.

The hospital was known for its research and new ways to diagnose and treat infections. Its staff were highly valued across the country and the hospital gained a worldwide reputation. Nurses had been trained there since 1894. From 1937, all new nurses had to spend two months in a special training school before working in the wards.

In 1936, the hospital became an official postgraduate teaching hospital. A medical school for advanced studies opened in 1938. However, it closed in 1943 due to wartime issues. In 1960, Prince Henry Hospital became the first teaching hospital for the newly formed University of NSW.

The hospital's special skills went beyond infectious diseases and training. During World War II, it treated soldiers, including the first American troops in Sydney. In 1946, a special ward was created for police officers. Another ward was secured to treat prisoners from Long Bay Gaol.

Important People at Prince Henry Hospital

Many famous medical professionals and leaders worked at Prince Henry Hospital. Some buildings on the site are named after them. These include Matron E McNevin, Matron CM Dickson, FW Marks, Bob Heffron, and JE Delaney.

Matron Clarice Dickson started at the Coast Hospital in 1909. She served in France during World War I with the Red Cross and was honored for her bravery. She returned to the Coast Hospital in 1920. She became Matron of Prince Henry Hospital in 1936 and retired in 1937. The new nurses' home was named after her.

Ethel McNevin followed Matron Dickson as Matron. She started as a trainee at the Coast Hospital in 1915. She later became Matron of Perth Hospital in Western Australia. In 1937, she returned to Prince Henry Hospital as Matron and stayed until 1955. Matron McNevin started the Nurses Preliminary Training School. This school became a key part of nursing training at Prince Henry Hospital. After retiring, she worked as a librarian at the hospital and lived there until she died in 1960.

Bob Heffron and FW Marks were important directors on the hospital's Board. Bob Heffron was Chairman from 1950 to 1959. He was also the local member of parliament and NSW Premier from 1959 to 1964. A new ward block was named after him in 1961. FW Marks was Chairman from 1936 until his death in 1942. The new infectious diseases ward was named the FW Marks Pavilion to honor his family.

Dr CJM "Cec" Walters was the Medical Superintendent from 1936 to 1959. He was known for his loyalty and dedication. He started as a veterinary surgeon and served in World War I. He later became a doctor and worked at the Coast Hospital from 1924. He also continued to work as a vet, sometimes with racehorses.

John E. Delaney became Chief Executive Officer in 1973. He was known as a great leader who worked to improve the road to the hospital.

Dr Neville Stanley's virus research team became famous in Australia for their work on viral meningitis and the polio virus. The Pathology Building was named after benefactors Hugh and Catherine McIlrath.

The Closure of Prince Henry Hospital

The Prince Henry Hospital closed in stages, starting in 1988. Its services were moved to the Prince of Wales Hospital. This was planned to create a "super hospital" using money from the sale of the Prince Henry site. However, services had been slowly reduced since the early 1970s. By 1984, the hospital's future was uncertain. A lack of money for repairs meant many buildings became run-down. After the official closure announcement, services continued to decrease, wards closed, and staff moved.

The Prince Henry Hospital grew to offer many medical services. It was a major teaching hospital, especially in the mid-1980s. But due to government policy, which focused on combining health services at other hospitals, Prince Henry Hospital gradually closed. In 1999, the Minister for Health announced that the remaining services would move to Prince of Wales Hospital. The Prince Henry site was then planned for new housing, aged care, and some medical services. This plan also included restoring the heritage buildings.

A plan to manage the heritage of the site was created and approved in 2003. This plan guided the development of the Prince Henry site. The site was officially listed on the State Heritage Register on May 2, 2003.

In 2008, the Prince Henry Masterplan, which guided the redevelopment, won a special award. The Premier of New South Wales, Morris Iemma, praised the plan. He said it found smart ways to build new homes while keeping the area beautiful and open. He noted that 80 percent of the site would remain public, with better access to Little Bay Beach and new community facilities. The plan also focused on protecting heritage buildings and the environment.

What You Can See at the Site Today

The Site's Features

The Prince Henry site has many different buildings and open spaces. It also has archaeological features and items that show its long history as a hospital for over 120 years.

The natural landscape includes the Little Bay Geological Site, sandstone rocks, and native plants. On top of this, there are cultural features like planted trees (palms, banksias, Norfolk Island pines), retaining walls, and rock cuttings. There are great views of Little Bay and the coast.

The buildings and structures show the four main stages of the Prince Henry site's development. They include hospital wards, operating theaters, special research facilities, administration buildings, and homes for nurses and doctors. There are also buildings for maintenance, laundry, kitchens, and education.

Here are some important parts of the Prince Henry Site:

• Historic Precinct: This area has many important buildings and landscapes from the Coast Hospital and Prince Henry Hospital. It includes old roads, planted trees, rock cuttings, and views.
  • Entrance Gates, Gateposts, and Gatehouse.
  • Pine Avenue, with its tall Cook's pines and other plants.
  • The Water Tower, Wishing Well, and World War II Memorial Clock Tower.
  • Henry's Trading Post (which used to be the Coast Hospital Pathology Laboratory).
  • The old Pathology Department building and a nearby water reservoir.
  • The former Matron Dickson Nurses Home, with its courtyard and gardens.
  • The former Nurses Dining Room and Matron's Office.
  • Pine Cottage.
  • Coral Avenue, with its ornamental plants.
  • The Interdenominational Australian Nurses War Memorial Chapel.
  • The BJ Heffron House (Block A) and Delaney Building (Block B).
  • Old Artisans' Cottages (No 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).
  • The former Institute of Tropical Medicine complex (Ward 16, Kitchen, Boiler House).
  • The Flowers Ward Group, including the old Flowers Wards and 'Hill Theatres'.
  • The Coast Golf and Recreation Club Clubhouse (which was the Coast Hospital Steam Laundry).
  • The Pond and its watercourse.
• Natural Features:
  • Little Bay Beach and the surrounding headlands.
  • The North Cemetery, which is the second burial place for the hospital (1897–1952). It is now the Dharawal Resting Place for Aboriginal ancestors.
  • Wetlands.
  • Little Bay Geological Site, important for studying the coast's history.
• Other Elements:
  • The former Male Lazaret site (a place for isolating people with leprosy).
  • Various ornamental and native plants across the site.
  • Sandstone features like rock outcrops and retaining walls.
  • Old road alignments.

Items That Can Be Moved

Many items from the hospital's history, like medical equipment and old furniture, have been collected. They are now in the PHHTNA Museum (Prince Henry Hospital Nursing and Medical Museum). These items tell the story of medical treatment, technology, and nursing care at the hospital since 1881.

The Coast Hospital Cemetery at Little Bay was used for burials from 1897 to 1952. It is a sad reminder of past epidemics. It was located away from the hospital to prevent disease spread. Only 78 graves are still visible, but it's thought there are over 2000 burials here. There are grave markers for nurses and staff. Two unique graves belong to the Rouse family, with special tiled sarcophaguses and cast-iron fences. The cemetery is also the Dharawal Resting Place, where Aboriginal ancestral remains are reburied.

What Condition Is It In?

As of 2003, there is evidence of Aboriginal life before the hospital was built in 1881. This includes old campsites, rock engravings, and places where tools were sharpened. The area might still contain undiscovered Aboriginal artifacts.

Some identified Aboriginal archaeological sites at Prince Henry include:

• Little Bay 5 and 6: Old shell middens (piles of shells from meals).
• Little Bay 7: Axe grinding grooves.
• Little Bay 8 and 9: Rock engravings.
• Little Bay 10: Leprosy Lazaret, from the 1890s.
• Potential Ochre Site: A place where ochre (a natural pigment) might have been found.
• The Tram Loop: A socially important site in the bushland.
• Potential Fish Trap: A possible ancient fish trap.

The site also has archaeological evidence from the hospital's 120-year history. This includes parts of the original Coast Hospital and the Male Lazaret. It also shows evidence of the later Prince Henry Hospital.

Some identified historical archaeological items include:

• Rock-cut steps and retaining walls.
• Old canals and rock cuttings.
• Footings and kerbing from old buildings.
• Remains of garden beds and old roads.
• A small number of movable items like sandstone blocks and old gates.

Other historical features are found in special archaeological zones. These include more retaining walls, sandstone drains, and old fences.

How the Site Changed Over Time

The Prince Henry site has changed a lot since it began. There are four main stages of its development:

• Starting and Early Growth (1881–1914): The site was first used in 1881 for temporary housing during a smallpox outbreak. Land was set aside for quarantine, leading to an isolation hospital. The hospital's design kept infectious patients separate. Few features from this time remain, but they include the Dam, the old Steam Laundry, Pine Cottage, Pine Avenue, and some Artisans' Cottages.
• Expanding The Coast Hospital (1915–1934): During this time, the hospital grew significantly. Plans were made to build 20 new wards, known as the "Flowers Hospital." Although only six were finished, they helped the hospital become the largest in New South Wales by 1929. The six Flowers Wards buildings are important parts from this period.
• Prince Henry Hospital as a General Hospital (1935–1959): This period saw facilities move from the old Coast Hospital area to the Flowers Wards area. In 1934, the hospital was renamed "Prince Henry Hospital" and plans were made to expand it to 1,000 beds. Many of the distinctive brick buildings, like Heffron House, the Delaney Building, Matron Dickson Nurses Home, and the McIlrath Pathology Building, are from this time.
• Prince Henry Hospital as a Major Teaching Hospital (1960–2001): This phase established Prince Henry Hospital as a major teaching hospital. In 1959, laws were passed to connect it with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the University of Sydney. This meant closer ties to medical research. A part of the land was given to UNSW. From 1960, major renovations happened. Important buildings from this time include the Rehabilitation Medicine Centre, The Psychiatric Block, Operating Theatres, and the Diagnostic Radiology Building.

Why This Place Is Important

The Prince Henry site is very important because it was the main place for treating infectious diseases in New South Wales from the 1880s. It was the first public hospital in NSW after the convict era. The hospital played a big role in fighting infectious diseases. Later, it became a general hospital and a teaching hospital for the University of NSW. Its isolated location led to the creation of the first ambulance service in New South Wales.

The hospital's location by the sea, its design, and the way buildings were spread out created a unique and beautiful complex. The buildings and landscape show how healthcare ideas changed over time. The Flowers Wards and the remains of the early infectious disease hospital show how isolation was used to treat diseases. They also show the belief that being by the sea was good for health. The older buildings look different from those built after 1934, when the hospital became Prince Henry. The larger Heffron and Delaney Medical Ward Buildings, the Matron Dickson Nurses Home, and the McIlrath Pathology Building show changes in medical care and staff housing. Other buildings like the Water Reservoir and the Memorial Clock Tower add to the site's visual and historical interest.

The coastal landscape is very beautiful and scientifically valuable, with its beach, headlands, and native plants. A special geological area helps us understand the coastline's development and the climate from twenty million years ago. Human changes to the landscape include the pine trees along Pine Avenue, other plantings, rock cuttings, and old roads. The North Cemetery, though separate, is also an important part of this cultural landscape.

The history of the Prince Henry site is connected to Aboriginal people and many other communities. Many people were patients or worked there and still visit. Aboriginal people value the site for its spiritual connections and its long history of Aboriginal occupation. The site is also very important to the thousands of nurses, doctors, and administrators who trained and worked there. Many former nurses are still involved with the site. They have created a museum to preserve its history and use the War Memorial Chapel. There is still much to learn about the Prince Henry site from its archaeological sites, historical records, and the stories of those who were there.

Why the Old Remains Are Important

The Prince Henry site has both known archaeological features and areas where more old remains might be found. These physical clues are part of the history of the first public hospital in New South Wales after the convict era. The evidence at the site helps us understand how medical practices for infectious diseases changed over time. It also shows how state health policies developed for over 100 years. Even though some parts have been disturbed by new building, the site can still teach us a lot about how the land was used. These old remains also add to the site's social and historical value, making it a great place for education.

The Prince Henry Site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 2003 because it meets several important criteria:

• It shows the history of New South Wales: The site was used as a hospital for over 120 years. Its distance from Sydney showed how much people feared diseases like smallpox. It was the first public hospital after the convict era and played a big role as a teaching hospital from the 1960s.
• It is linked to important people or groups: The site is connected to the first permanent ambulance service in NSW. Many famous medical staff, like Dr J Ashburton-Thompson and Dr N Stanley, worked there. It's also linked to important administrators and benefactors, like RJ Heffron. Even a famous cricketer, Charlie McCartney, worked there.
• It is beautiful and shows great design: The site has many medical and administrative buildings that show how healthcare changed over 120 years. Its location by the sea and open spaces show the early ideas about treating infectious diseases. The buildings and landscape create a unique and visually striking place.
• It is important to certain communities: The site is very important to Aboriginal people for its spiritual connections and history. It is also deeply valued by former nurses and medical staff who trained and worked there. Many local people have strong connections to the site as staff, patients, or visitors.
• It can teach us more about history: The geological features can teach us about the climate and plants from millions of years ago. The site also has the potential to reveal more about Aboriginal life and the history of healthcare, especially the treatment of infectious diseases.
• It is rare or unique: Prince Henry Hospital's role in treating infectious diseases is unmatched in New South Wales. No other hospital was set up solely for this purpose on such a large scale. It offers rare evidence of old medical and nursing practices. The geological deposits from the Miocene period are also unique.
• It shows key characteristics of its type: The Prince Henry site is a great example of a place that shows important themes like science, government, health, education, and death. It is an outstanding example because of its setting, condition, and how much it is valued.

See also

• Prince of Wales Hospital (Sydney)

Images for kids

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  Portion of the former Coast Hospital, undated.