VPRS 17388 Admission Book (commonly known as Bathroom Books), Midwifery Department

Full description

This series contains leather bound volumes of Admission Books, Midwifery Department.

They contain information including: Date, Name, Age, Preg. (ie number of pregnancies), Time, Religion, State, (ie married or single), Birth (ie patient's place of birth), Recommended by, Husband's name or own Occupation, Permanent Address, Telephone. They give no details regarding the births, but do give mothers' home addresses. Throughout this period, and up to 1969 labouring women were admitted through the bathrooms, where they were prepared for Labour Ward.

These volumes were commonly known as the "Bathroom Books".

Series History
Prior to transfer to Public Record Office Victoria, the records in this series were maintained as part of the RWH Archives in RWH Series number 0319.