In the 1870s, the Hospital began evolving from a pauper institution to a public hospital. This process involved employing qualified nurses and trainees. Florence Abbott became the first qualified Matron during this time. Nurse training began in 1876.
The process of evolution also involved new buildings. In the late nineteenth century, the replacement of the old unsanitary convict buildings with new ones resulted in a cleaner more modern hospital.
A children's block opened in 1901. It had 25 cots for children under 10. This brought the Hospital's capacity to 175. By 1925, it was 250.
Under the 1918 Hospitals Act, which also set up the Hobart Public Hospitals District, the Hobart General officially became a public hospital that treated people from all sections of society.
In 1938, the Hobart General Hospital became the Royal Hobart Hospital with its own coat of arms. The Latin motto underneath the coat of arms meant 'to care with compassion'.
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Last updated:
31 August 2017
Cite this: http://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/tas/TE00943
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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