VPRS 18845 Patient Records

Full description

This series comprises volumes of patient records of the Bendigo Receiving Ward (VA 2862). The records were used to provide the history of patients and their treatment during the period of their time at the receiving ward. Information was recorded in Case Books up to 1919, then Patient Clinical Notes (Mental Record) to 1931 and Patient Clinical Notes (Mental Health Records) to 1950. 

Personal details such as name, age, residence and occupation were recorded as soon as possible after a patient was admitted, and periodically thereafter, the following details were entered into case histories: 

- the mental state and bodily condition of the patient on admission; 

- the history of the patient's case recorded from time to time while they continued to be a patient at the Receiving Ward; 

- a description of the medicine and other remedies prescribed for the treatment of a patient's disorder; 

- in the case of death, an account of the autopsy (if any) of the patient.

Up until 1942 judicial decisions relating to a patient were recorded in the patient record. From 1942 these decisions are recorded in Court of Petty Session Register (Bendigo Receiving Ward) (VPRS 18842). 

As of 2022, records in custody cover 1908 - 1941. The series date range reflects the dates covered in the Register of Patients VPRS 7493. Whether there were additional records created is subject to further research.