Heritage Living Winter 2011 - National Trust of Australia

Heritage Livingnational TRust of South AustraliaHistory of the Royal Adelaide HospitalLyn O’GradyIt was hoped that the new Adelaide Hospital wouldmeet the needs of the community for many years,but the huge influx of emigrants in the 1840s soonmade it inadequate.A second Adelaide Hospital was built on NorthTerrace in 1856. Building work on this newhospital was delayed because of the gold rush inVictoria in 1851 with the exodus of manpower andrelated withdrawal of funds from the banks.Dr William Gosse, as Acting Colonial Surgeon,took charge of this new hospital which consistedof the central building and west wing. The westwing contained eight wards and the central blocka surgery, dispensary and living quarters for thehouse surgeon. An east wing was built in 1866-67and provided four extra wards, some bedrooms,padded rooms, and a nurses’ dining room (whichalso served as a chapel). Further additions weremade to the central block in 1857 and 1863, whilein 1858 a boiler house, kitchen, drug store andmortuary were built.Anaesthesia was not available to medicalpractice until 1860s. The discovery of X-rays in1895 and the continuous advance of radiologyand radiotherapy since then have necessitatedthe installation of equipment for whichaccommodation has had to be provided. Pathologyhas demanded increasing space and facilities,culminating in the foundation of the Institute ofMedical and Veterinary Science in 1938.By the 1950s there were a total of 47 buildings onthe site and an extensive rebuilding of the hospitalwas regarded as inevitable. Between 1856 andthe ‘great demolition’ of 1963, no building in thehospital had been discarded until the last ounce ofuse had been extracted.The first step would have to be the provision ofaccommodation for patients while the rebuildingtook place. It was decided a new East Wing wouldbe the solution, accommodating the RadiotherapyDepartment and five floors for patients during therebuilding.A series of buildings, each with its specialfunction was suggested as this would allowearlier occupation than if one all-inclusive blockwere built. The buildings envisaged were aservices block with administration, casualty andoutpatient and theatre sections; a ward block,the North Wing; and the staff block, later namedthe Nurses’ Residential Wing. It was feared thatany criticism of this plan would lead to furtherindefinite postponement of the venture and so itwas accepted, with the honorary staff pledgingfull cooperation. The new buildings were occupiedprogressively between 1966 and 1969.No matter whether you believe the hospital shouldbe rebuilt or relocated, it is interesting to note thatmany of the present RAH structures were newonly 40-50 years ago.Researched from the internet http://www.rah.sa.gov.au/heritage/hugheshist2.phpBEAUMONT HOUSE GARDENLocation: 631 Glynburn RoadVOLUNTEERS,HISTORICPLANTSAND SLATEWANTED!VolunteersPlease join me andfellow volunteersduring the morning ofthe last Wednesday ofeach month to workin the garden for acouple of hours underthe supervision of ourqualified gardener, Alex.Tea, coffee and cakewill be provided.Plants:Donations of cuttingsfrom hardy historicplants wanted for thegarden. Please notethat due to oversupply,agapanthus are notneeded!SlateLarge pieces of greyslate are required asstepping stones. Cananyone please assist?Collection from you canbe arranged.Looking forward tohearing from you.Deborah MorganChair, BeaumontHouse GardenCommitteeIf you can assist with any of the aboveplease contact National Trust of SA State Office PH (08) 8202 9200page 13