VPRS 7475 Asylum Records

Full description

The following records are included in the series.

Unit 1 and 2 Official Visitors Book and Inspectors Book

Under the provisions of the Lunacy Act 1867 the Governor-in-Council was to appoint not less than two Justices to be official visitors for metropolitan hospitals and not less than two Justices to be official visitors for each of the country hospitals. The Official Visitors were to be accompanied by the Inspector-General of the Insane. A visit was to be made at least once every 3 months. The Official Visitors were to inspect every part of the building and grounds, every patient and to inquire whether any patient was under restraint or in seclusion and if so why, the registers of patients and the order and certificates for the reception of every patient who had been admitted since the last visit. On inspection they were to enter a memo in the 'Inspector-General's and Visitors' Book' regarding the condition of the hospital and patients, the number of patients under restraint or seclusion and the reasons for that treatment, and specify any irregularities in any order or certificates.

Between 1877 and 1879 unit 1 was used at the Ballarat Asylum. From 1880 onwards it became a record of the Sunbury Asylum. It was transferred to Sunbury Asylum along with patients and many other records in 1879. Copies of the relevant legislation are placed at the front of both volumes. The reports are arranged chronologically within the volumes.

Unit 3 Staff register

This volume is a register of staff employed at the Ballarat Asylum between 1877 and 1879 and Sunbury Asylum between 1879 and 1909. Entries are listed in chronological order. Each entry is allocated a sequential number. Those staff who failed to pass probation, resigned or were transferred were allocated a sequential discharge number. Details recorded are the date, name, classification and any other remarks (for example if transferred from elsewhere). From 1890 the annual salary staff were paid and sometimes their date of birth were also recorded.

Unit 4 Staff Register

This volume is a register of staff employed at the Sunbury Hospital for the Insane between 1905 and 1924 (there is one entry from 1901). Entries are listed in chronological order. Details recorded include the date, name classification, date of birth, salary, life assurance details (required under the Public Service Act) and any remarks for example details of increments. There is an index by employee name at the front of the volume.

Unit 5 Circulars Book

This volume contains copies of memoranda sent from the Hospitals for the Insane Branch, Chief Secretary's Office and other Government Departments to the Hospitals for the Insane. The circulars are arranged chronologically within the volume.

Units 6 and 7 Memoranda and Orders in Force

These volumes contain copies of memoranda sent from the Medical Superintendent to staff concerning the treatment of patients and other matters. Also included in the volumes are copies of the asylum regulations which were relevant at the time.

Unit 8 Patients' Leaving Comments

When patients were discharged or were on trial leave from the Hospital they were to be interviewed by the Medical Superintendent or his deputy. The official was to interrogate each patient and to enquire from them as to whether they were satisfied with the treatment or whether they had any complaints to make. This volume was kept to record their replies to the above. Entries are arranged chronologically.