Heatherton Sanitorium history in brief
In May 1913, the Victorian Public Health Department opened the Heatherton Sanatorium for the treatment of people with tuberculosis with a capacity of 100 beds.
Operational funding for the sanatorium came from the Victorian Government and municipalities and it was administratively linked to the nearby Melbourne Benevolent Asylum.
In the late 1940s, the Commonwealth Government Health Department took over the Heatherton Sanatorium. In the early 1950s, the sanatorium housed 260 tuberculosis patients in wards, wings and blocks that separately housed adult males, adult females and children. A five-storey nurses’ home was built.
By the late 1950s, the number of tuberculosis patients had declined and other hospitals, such as Prince Henry’s and the Austin Hospital, started using parts of Heatherton for their own services. A state primary school, no. 4982, operated to meet the needs of young patients.
In 1974, the Alcohol and Drug Dependant Persons Services Branch took over two wings at Heatherton. In 1976, the Commonwealth Government returned full responsibility for the facility to the Victorian Government and its name changed to Heatherton Hospital.
In the 1980s, system reviews led to the closure of Willsmere Hospital, Kew whose patients were admitted to Heatherton in 1987. Heatherton Hospital was also declared a psychiatric hospital for the elderly.
In the 1990s, system reviews saw Heatherton associated with the Kingston Centre (the successor to the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum). In 1998, Heatherton Hospital closed.
Warning about distressing information
This guide contains information that some people may find distressing. If you experienced abuse as a child or young person in an institution mentioned in this guide, it may be a difficult reading experience. Guides may also contain references to previous views, policies and practices that are regrettable and do not reflect the current views, policies or practices of the department or the State of Victoria. If you find this content distressing, please consult with a support person either from the Department of Health and Human Services or another agency.
Disclaimer
Please note that the content of this administrative history is provided for general information only and does not purport to be comprehensive. The department does not guarantee the accuracy of this administrative history. For more information on the history of child welfare in Australia, see Find & .
Patient information
PLEASE NOTE: Patients could be admitted to a Receiving House for short-term treatment and care, but were not permitted to remain longer than two months.
Patients still needing treatment after two months could be sent to a Psychiatric Hospital, in the same institution/complex or another. Hence, there could be more than one set of records for any one person. Please check each location for former patient records.
Sources
Alan Bennett, Heatherton Tuberculosis < Kingston historical website 2008–2015, City of Kingston >, viewed 21 July
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Reviewed 26 August 2016