Traditionally, Christmas festivities in our Central Adelaide Local Health Hospitals have been a time of celebration. From carol singing and festive decorations to special meals, these traditions have brought joy to patients, staff, and visitors alike. Carol singing, in particular, has played a special role in spreading holiday cheer, distracting patients from their surrounds and […]
Today, the Royal Adelaide Hospital is an adult-only hospital, but that wasn’t always the case. For much of its history, children were admitted to the hospital for treatment, alongside adults. Early Days: The Adelaide Hospital Prior to the opening of the first purpose-built Adelaide Hospital in 1842, sick patients were treated at home. As the […]
The First Female doctor to receive the Military Medal. Phoebe Chapple was born in Adelaide on 31st March 1879 to Frederic Chapple and Elizabeth Sarah (nee Hunter). She commenced a Bachelor of Science course in 1896 at the University of Adelaide and completed in 1898. She went on to study Medicine, and qualified in 1904. […]
This week the CALHN Health Museum commemorated 106 years since the end of World War I The CALHN Health Museum in conjunction with the Volunteer Unit, was once again invited to honour and remember CALHN staff members who served in the Australian Defence Forces during times of armed conflict. This year the museum decided to […]
In the mid-19th century, electrotherapy was all the rage in medical treatments, especially for nerve-related ailments. One of the most intriguing devices from this era is the Improved Magneto-Electric Machine, a piece of medical equipment that combines early electrical science with the belief in its healing powers. Manufactured by William Skidmore, a surgical instrument maker […]
The humble sign used to be a piece of art Signs in hospitals are a common site. They direct you on where to go and help you navigate yourself in an unfamiliar setting. But have you ever really paid any attention to them?? At a time when there was no 3D printers or laminating machines […]
One unique aspect of nursing training at Adelaide Hospital was the focus on cooking for invalid patients. This essential part of the curriculum was designed to equip probationer nurses with the knowledge and techniques needed to prepare nourishing meals for those recovering from illness or injury. Classes were held at the South Australian School of […]
Did you know that the Royal Adelaide Hospital had a hockey team? No.. Neither did I Everyone needs some downtime: time to relax, to have fun with friends, to get some exercise. “An outside interest or two is most necessary to the well-being of a nurse. She needs mental relaxation as well as physical”. Nurse […]
A fancy word for a nurses utility belt which seemed to include a tool to handle any emergency. The word comes from the French term chatelaine meaning the mistress of the chateau. She would have worn a belt for her keys which is where the present term comes from. In the 19th century, when nursing […]
Part 2: As the Royal Adelaide Hospital moves sites so does spiritual care. On the 25th August 2017 the Chapel at the Royal Adelaide Hospital was decommissioned. A ceremony was held to officially end worship at Royal Adelaide Hospital site. Memories were shared about past spiritual care on the site and hopes for the future. […]
Part 5: 1970 – 2017 The next few decades in the Royal Adelaide Hospital’s history didn’t see as much architectural change as the preceding ones. Instead, the hospital entered an era of specialisation and restructuring. In 1971, honorary doctors providing unpaid labour were replaced by paid visiting medical staff. That same year, the volunteer unit […]
Who would have thought there would be so many uses for the humble spoon! Within the CALHN Health Museum’s collection, there are spoons for heating amalgam, scooping mustard and stirring a simple cup of tea. There are metal spoons, ceramic, wooden and even glass spoons. Below is a small selection of some of the different […]
This week we take a look at an essential piece of medical equipment, the microscope. The microscope is defined as an instrument used to examine anything which is difficult to see by the naked eye. Various types of contraptions designed for this magnifying purpose have been present for thousands of years, however the microscope design […]
Part 4: 1960s Hospital Redevelopment Following World War II, Adelaide experienced a significant population boom and an influx of migrants. This surge placed considerable demand and strain on the Royal Adelaide Hospital, its services, and staff. The need for redevelopment of the hospital site was first discussed in the 1950s. At that time, the hospital […]
This fire mimic panel call board, dating from 1938, was in use at the Royal Adelaide Hospital until 1987. The panel is divided into sections, each representing a ward or area. As the names of wards and buildings changed, new labels were stuck over the original ones. In the case of a fire alarm, a […]