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.
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.
List of records held by the department
For information relating to the central management of care leavers and wards of state, please consult the guide to Central department wardship and out-of-home care records. These collections date back to the 1860s and include ward registers, index cards and ward files.
Patient case histories (1980–95)
File; Temporary
Content: Case histories of patients attending the Lalor Clinic / District Community Mental Health Service and Whittlesea Clinic / Community Mental Health Service, as psychiatric outpatients. These case histories record a patient’s condition and treatment while receiving counselling and/or medication from the clinic. The clinic treated individuals and family groups.
The files contain a patient information sheet giving personal details and case notes by the person treating them, including the following details: name; date of birth; next of kin; case notes; personal description; patients’ problems; referring person; patients’ comments on their situation; treatment plan; correspondence. The records are arranged in alphabetical order within the year of discharge or death.
Reviewed 26 August 2016