Bendigo Hospital [Bendigo Gold District General Hospital 1853-1930, Bendigo and Northern District Base Hospital 1930-1992]

Full description

In 1853, a public meeting was called to discuss the need for a hospital in the area. The meeting resolved to approach the government for assistance in building a hospital in Bendigo. The first hospital, a slab and weatherboard building, was built and the first patients were admitted in November 1853. In 1856 the hospital was recognised by the government and was to be called the Bendigo Gold District General Hospital (see Victoria Government Gazette no. 140, October 31 1856, page 1829). 

In January 1859, a new and more substantial hospital building was opened, replacing the original building. 

In 1873, the Bendigo Receiving Ward (VA 2862) was established. Patients from the Bendigo Receiving Ward were generally transferred to Sunbury Mental Hospital (VA 2843). The Bendigo Receiving Ward was closed in 1951.

1883 saw the hospital incorporated under the provisions of An Act for Hospitals and Charitable Institutions 1864.

In 1930, the hospital’s name was changed to The Bendigo and Northern District Base Hospital to reflect the role of the hospital serving communities beyond the immediate Bendigo area. 

In 1950, the Northern School of Nursing was established as a separate entity within the hospital.

1992 saw a further name change to the Bendigo Hospital. This was followed in 1995 by the merger of the hospital with the Anne Caudle Centre (VA 1275) to form the Bendigo Health Care Group (VA 5261).