The Department of Charitable Institutions was a New South Wales government agency that was established in 1888. It took over the responsibilities of the Inspector of Public Charities. It administered state hospitals and asylums for the infirm. It had overall responsibility for the State Children's Relief Branch and the Government Asylums Branch. It oversaw the Children's Protection Act until 1901, when that responsibility was passed to the State Children's Relief Department. In 1905 the State Children's Relief Department was transferred to the Department of Public Instruction. In 1911 this Department became the Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities Department.
1866 - 1888 Inspector of Public Charities
1888 - 1911 Department of Charitable Institutions
1911 - 1913 Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities Department
1913 - 1938 Office of the Director-General of Public Health
1938 - 1973 Department of Public Health
1973 - 1982 Health Commission
1982 - Health Department
Sources used to compile this entry: 'Metropolitan Hospitals and Charities Department', in State Records Authority of New South Wales website, State of New South Wales through the State Records Authority of NSW 2016, https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/agency/1923.
Prepared by: Naomi Parry
Created: 7 May 2014, Last modified: 25 November 2014