Full description
The Sanatorium for Consumptives, Greenvale opened in 1905 to treat people, both adults and children, with tuberculosis. The historical term 'consumptive/consumption' refers to the associated weight loss that can be caused by tuberculosis. Greenvale was the first purpose-built Government sanatorium in Victoria. Tuberculosis caused one in nine deaths in Victoria in 1902.Accommodation was origjnally for 35 patients in seven tents, however this slowly expanded. In 1907, there were 19 staff: 1 x doctor, 1 x matron, 1 x staff nurse, 6 x assistant nurses, 1 x wardsmaid, 1 x kitchenmaid, 2 x housemaids, 2 x cooks, 1 x driver, 1 x engine driver, and 2 x porters. In 1906-1907, the average length of stay was 74 days.
The facility was renamed the Greenvale Sanatorium in ?1909. From 1924 to 1952, only female patients were admitted to Greenvale. From 1924, male patients were accommodated at Amhurst Sanatorium (south of Maryborough), which opened in December 1908. At the time of opening, it admitted only female patients.
In the 50 years following its opening, the need for such a service declined and the Sanatorium grew and progressed in other directions. New drug treatments for tuberculosis made the Sanatorium redundant, and this function of the facility was discontinued in 1956.
The Greenvale Village for the Aged was inaugurated on 22 August 1955, overlapping with the now renamed Greenvale Sanatorium being officially closed in 1956. The Greenvale Village became known as the Greenvale Geriatric Centre in 1972. A new centre for rehabilitation, Sir William Upjohn House, was opened in 1974. The corporate name of the whole facility changed on 12 May 1986 to Greenvale Centre.
On 1 July, 1991, the Greenvale Centre closed when it merged with the Mount Royal Hospital, which was renamed North West Hospital, a forebear to Royal Melbourne Hospital (VA 1048) and Melbourne Health.
VA 1277 Institution timeline:
1905 - ?1909 : Sanatorium for Consumptives, Greenvale
?1909 - 1956 : Greenvale Sanatorium
1955 - 1972 : Greenvale Village for the Aged
1972 - 1986 : Greenvale Geriatric Centre
1986 - 1991 : Greenvale Centre
Data time period:
[1905 TO 1991]
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