History of Tailem Bend Hospital

Author: Sue Piggott

Publishing date: 22 August 2005 1:17pm

• 1890’s Mud-brick dwelling built in 1870 on riverbank at southern end of town used as first hospital.
• 1900’s “Lying-in Home” - galvanised iron building 11 Pretoria Street used as hospital - called “Mrs. Murphy’s ‘s” (a midwife).
• 1911 16 Main Street - residence of Rev Williams operated, as a maternity hospital Mrs. Williams was a Registered Nurse.
• 1913-15 Dr Cherry - first town doctor. No hospital at that time. Did home visits in horse & buggy. Lived at 17 Karoonda Road.
• 1920-28 Dr Les Linn - second doctor - used his house as a surgery.
• 1922 Sister Kath Waterhouse - District Nurse.
• 1922-27 The former Pontt homestead. 43 Pretoria Street, the next known hospital.
• 1928 First general hospital, Cnr Trevena Road and Second Avenue. Known as the “Old Hospital “built by Mrs Gericke Originally called Bush Nursing Hospital, then St Margarets, the District General Hospital, finally named Lower Murray District Hospital prior to shifting to present site. Other doctors during this time: Drs Cornish, Turner, Lloyd
• 1949 Dr Coates
• 1952-89 Dr P Gooden
• 1960-63 Dr A D Hensley assisted Dr P Gooden
• 1961 Building of hospital on river frontage site began.
• 1962 Present hospital opened by Sir Eric Bastyan, Governor of SA - 26 beds furnished & equipped and two-storey staff block was 105,000 pounds.
• 1985 Renovations to convalescent lounge, bathrooms and storerooms. Enrolled Nurse Training ceased.
• 1986 Fight to keep Hospital - Theatre & Midwifery sections closed
• 1988 SA Health Commission advised Board that role change required for adequate funding to continue.
• 1989 Dr P O’Neil and Dr R Entwistle Role change - focus to provide acute medical, stabilisation of emergency cases and aged care facilities. Bed ratio is 7 acute, 11 long stay, 2 respite and 24 hour accident and emergency service.
• 1989 Laundry closed, Central Linen used.
• 1990 Lower Murray District Hospital became Incorporated under SAHC Act Constitution signed 13th June 1990. Hot midday meal and Meals on Wheels transported from Murray Bridge Hospital Kitchen.
• 1991 Community health initiatives include Outreach Nursing, Day Care, Community Bus service and co-ordinates Meals on Wheels.
• 1991 Redevelopment of north wing - minor theatre, nurse’s station, DON Office outpatients waiting room and emergency treatment room.
• 1992 Telecross started from the Hospital
• 1995 Dr S Fensak
• 1995 EO/DON position created. Mrs. Christine Hudson first incumbent
• 1996 Successful Accreditation of three years achieved with the Australian Council of Health Care Standards. Special Needs Room opened.
• 1997 New Roof on Hospital, Maintenance and Nurses Home/Day Care Centre
• 1998 Renovations to Southern Wing for Regional Aged Care project. Feasibility study to redevelop Nurses Home/Day Care Centre by Garry Coff and Associates. Renovations to Administration Area, Laundry, Kitchen, A&E Observation Room and Waiting Room. Removal of incinerator and boiler. Installation of new warm water system. New Constitution and Name Change to TAILEM BEND DISTRICT HOSPITAL.
• 1999 Installation of Pan Sterilises and Compartmentation of South Wing. 16 Bed Nursing Home in South Wing and 9 Acute Beds in North Wing. (25 beds total) Mr. Terry Wilby 2nd EO/DON Introduction of Aged Care Activities Co-ordinator and Personal Care Attendants (Commonwealth Funded Nursing Home Beds). Introduction of Bubble Pack Medication to Nursing Home. 2nd Strategic Plan developed, New Telephone System installed. 2nd Successful Accreditation of 3 years with the Australian Council of Healthcare Standards.
• 2000-2001 Development of Outdoor area for Aged Care Waiting room area near administration developed into an office for Finance Officer. Introduced Patient Care Attendants into Commonwealth Aged Care. Installed Video-Conferencing facility. Funding gained through Networking The Nation. Installed Security Cameras and key padded doors to decrease security risk. Nurse call bell system installed
• 2000-2002 Installation of security fencing across hospital cliff frontage. Computer Network from Hospital to Medical Centre New industrial washing machine and dryer installed donated and funded by Friends of the Hospital. Computer in waiting room installed for community and staff access to Internet, funded by Department of Human Services. Networking of all patient TV’s to video access. Funded by Friend’s of the Hospital. Old fountain removed area now used for car parking and relocated and installed smaller fountain.