Shenton Park Rehabilitation Hospital

Statement of Significance

a. The place is significant for its role in the initial care of poliomyelitis patients and its ongoing role in the care and rehabilitation of paraplegic and quadriplegic patients. The paraplegic unit, established under the direction of George Bedbrook, is recognised nationally and international!) as a world class facility. b. The place represents the establishment of a hospital to accommodate those affected by infectious diseases; such as small pox, during the 1890s. c. Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital has aesthetic value as a well designed hospital complex set in landscaped gardens, open spaces and remnant bushland. It is a disparate hospital complex set in landscape gardens. d. The place has social significance to staff and patients associated with the place since the establishment of the facility in the 1890s. Aesthetic Value Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital has aesthetic value as a well designed hospital complex set in landscaped gardens, open spaces and remnant bushland. The Central Administration Building (Block A) constructed in 1938 has some aesthetic significance as the main administration block with an imposing entrance approached along a box tree lined avenue. The wards set at an angle on either side of the entrance increases the attractiveness of both the building and adjacent space. The Paraplegic Block (Block G) constructed in 1963 with its associated lawns and courtyard area is of aesthetic significance. The large pine tree located to the north-east of Block A dates from the first phase of the hospital's development (1890s to 1930s). Historic Value The place represents the establishment of a hospital to accommodate those affected by infectious diseases; such as small pox, during the 1890s largely as a result of the gold rushes and associated mass immigration. The building (Block A) constructed in 1938 was financed by local authorities concerned about the need to house the patients and staff at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in better conditions. The place is hugely significant for its role in the initial care of poliomyelitis patients and its ongoing role in the care of paraplegic and quadriplegic patients. This development brought about the hospitals new purpose in the care and rehabilitation of these patients. Of primary importance is the paraplegic unit which, since its establishment, has been recognised nationally and internationally as a world class facility. The place is associated with George Bedbrook the Director of the Spinal Cord Injury Unit from 1954 to 1972 and Senior Surgeon to 1986. Bedbrook won international acclaim as a result of his contribution to the field as well as to sport for the disabled; the first Commonwealth Paraplegic Games were held in Perth in 1962. Social Value The place is associated with the staff and patients associated with the place since the establishment of the facility in the 1890s. Since the late 1940s, the place has had great importance to paraplegic and quadriplegic patients who have been cared for and been through rehabilitation programs at the hospital, and to those who have been associated with the establishment and development of these specialised services in Western Australia. Scientific Value The majority of buildings at Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital have been designed specifically for the accommodation and rehabilitation of paraplegic patients and is a facility that has been recognised nationally and internationally as a world leader in the rehabilitation field.

Physical Description

Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital is located on the comer of Selby and Lemnos Streets, Shenton Park. The site slopes moderately from the south-west down to a relatively flat area on the north east. Hospital buildings, infrastructure, recreation, garden areas, and open spaces occupy the eastern three quarters of the site. A strip along the western boundary consists of undeveloped land (natural vegetation), a large carpark and drainage sump at its centre. Overall, the hospital is situated in a landscaped setting with lawns, mature trees and remnant bushland around the perimeter of the site. The hospital site contains numerous buildings of varying age, construction type, material and style. The most recent buildings are of concrete construction with dark brown coloured brick. Other buildings are of red brick construction with terracotta tiles and there are several examples of the original weatherboard and corrugated iron pre-1938 buildings.

History

Assessment 2000 Construction 1890s onward in three main phases: 1890 - 1938: Block A, Central Administration building. Infectious diseases Hospital established 1894. 1938 - late 1960s Architect/Designer: : Public Works Department; PWD Architect A. W. Clare (Central Administration Bldg 1938; F. J. Power Builder); Colin Rule Architect (Fmr Nurses Quarters 1962; Chapel 1968); Hawkins and Sands - Peter Parkinson & Ron Bodycoat (Paraplegic Unit 1963) The first isolation ward for infectious diseases in Western Australia was constructed in the grounds of the Colonial Hospital in 1885 in response to concerns that an outbreak of smallpox occurring in the eastern colonies would spread to the west. The spread of the epidemic did occur in 1893 as a result of the gold rush and large numbers of people who had come from the eastern colonies. Initially the small pox victims were isolated and accommodated in tents at Mt. Eliza before the makeshift isolation ward moved to Reserve 2290 in West Subiaco. The tents were eventually replaced by a corrugated iron building and the place became known as the Victoria Hospital. When the smallpox epidemic had passed the hospital was closed only to be reopened the following year after an outbreak of typhoid fever. In the 1890s, the hospital closed and reopened in response to the outbreak and passing of infectious disease. The need for a permanent facility became all too obvious. This need was highlighted in 190I when Perth Public Hospital was quarantined for two weeks because of an outbreak of bubonic plaque. Facilities were also overextended as a result of the soldiers returning from the Boer War with djseases such as the measles and venereal disease. In 1907 the Victoria Hospital in Subiaco was placed under the Board of Management of the Perth Public Hospital and became known as the Infectious Diseases Hospital. When the Coolgardie sanatorium closed in 1915 some of the corrugated iron buildings were relocated to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, however accommodation at the site was still crude. During World War One, children who had been struck down by diphtheria and scarlet fever had to be accommodated two to a bed. Facilities at the Infectious Diseases Hospital were further taxed by the 'Spanish' influenza epidemic in I 919. The increase in venereal disease post World War One resulted in this unit being moved to the Infectious Diseases Hospital. The Infectious Diseases Hospital continued to operate during the 1920s and 1930s despite threats of closure due to lack of resources and primitive conditions for both staff and patients. Public awareness of the conditions at the hospital was raised in the 1930s and there was a public outcry. In 1933, a conference was held to discuss concerns about the Hospital. The meeting resolved that a new building was needed, however disputes over whom would pay delayed construction of the building for several years. In 1937, plans drawn by the government architect A. E. Clare for a 90-bed hospital were accepted. F. Power was awarded the contract the final cost of construction of the building was £52,175. It was opened in September 1938. The hospital continued to use the original timber framed wards when the new building was full to capacity. In the early I 940s, patient numbers continued to increase and the hospital was forced to use the original timber framed wards for patients. Despite an immunisation program, there was an outbreak of diphtheria epidemic in 1942, followed by cerebra-spinal meningitis in 1941 and scarlet fever in 1943. The threat of air raids during World War Two resulted in the extension of a one of the original wards to accommodate 120 beds in 1942. The oval is thought to be the site World War 1 I POW Camp. Check with Defence Heritage. In the late 1940s, there was a decrease in the cases of infectious diseases and establishment of an infectious diseases unit at Princess Margaret Hospital further reduced demand on the Infectious Diseases Hospital. Further to this, the I 950s brought about a change in emphasis to caring for the chronically ill. In the early I 950s, it was recommended that the infectious Diseases Hospital be allocated to the care for the chronically ill. This recommendation was to be confirmed by poliomyelitis epidemics between 1948 and 1956. The hospital was required to provide long periods of treatment and rehabilitation for large numbers of paralysed patients. In I 953 the School of Physiotherapy opened and, in 1959, some RAAF buildings were transferred from Wembley to provide a ward and classroom. In 1954, two of the original wards were adapted for rehabilitation of paraplegics thus providing the facilities for the pioneering work which gained approval for the establishment of a specialised paraplegic unit in December 1954. The establishment of a program for paraplegics at the hospital, in conjunction with the Orthopaedic Department of Royal Perth Hospital, occurred under the Direction of George Bedbrook. Th is unit was the first of its kind to be established in Australia and soon gained a reputation as a leader in its field both nationally and internationally. Awarded an OBE for his work, Bedbrook was the Director of the Spinal Cord Injury Unit from 1954 to I972 and remained its Senior Surgeon to 1986. The unit was renamed the Sir George Bedbrook Spinal Unit in honour for his work. In 1956, the Infectious Disease Hospital became known as the Royal Perth Hospital Annexe and the Annexe House Committee administered the hospital. A master plan detailed the replacement of the original wards with a facility with a minimum capacity of 250 beds as well as nurses home for 200. Services increased to include a boiler house, workshop, laundry facilities, and an animal house. It was also at this time that the property was extended to 17 acres. A second specialist unit was established in 1958 for the rehabilitation of hemiplegics. Facilities were also provided for the accommodation of rheumatoid arthritis sufferers and post neuro-surgical patients. Jn August 1962, a nurses' home, designed by Colin Rule Architect, was constructed. (This was later became known as Thorburn House, and was eventually adapted for an Independent Living Centre that opened in 1978) In I 963, a new paraplegic unit, designed by Hawkins & Sands, with accommodation for 40 beds and 32 fully air-conditioned rooms was constructed. From 1963 to 1972 ten wards, a therapy unit and operating theatres were also added to the complex. Jn 1966, the place was renamed the Royal Perth (Rehabilitation) Hospital and a purpose built physiotherapy unit was also built in this year. In 1968, an inter-denominational chapel was opened. The Quadriplegic Centre was opened in 1969. In 1972, a building was constructed to house the Schools of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Curtin University.In 1974, the Board of Management transferred 7 acres of land to the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association, which built a workshop complex and activity centre. An updated hydrotherapy pool was opened in 1982, followed by the opening of the Outpatients and Day Hospital in 1983. In 1985, the Board of Management accepted a redevelopment plan that included expansion and upgrading of many of the wards and facilities. 'In the late 1980s, the hospital had 238 beds designed to provide a state service for the rehabilitation of disabled people as well as an up-to-date infectious diseases unit. The hospital was regarded as one of the leading rehabilitation hospitals in the world and the most up-to-date in Australia.' 1960s to present day

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