St. John of God Hospital, Subiaco... (1899).
This article is about the history of St. John of God Hospital in Subiaco established and managed by the Sisters of the Order of St John.
The article provides an overview of a physical description of the hospital, the cost to patients and care provided by the nuns when first opened.
The article was published in the W.A. Record, the Catholic newspaper in 1899. The article and photograph are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
W.A. Record, 29 April 1899.Hospital of St. John of God, Subiaco.
The Hospital, a front view of which is shown in our illustration, conducted by the Sisters of St. John of God, is beautifully situated on an eminence in the healthiest part of Subiaco, within six minutes walk of the station.
The Sisters of the Order of St. John of God make the management of hospitals, in accordance with the most modern ideas and rules, one of their special studies. The mother house of the Order is in Wexford (Ireland).
Some three years ago the Bishop of Perth hearing of the splendid work effected by these good nuns determined to introduce a branch of the Order into W.A. where their services have been, aye and are so badly needed and so justly appreciated. Their residence in Adelaide Terrace having proved rather small Bishop Gibney very kindly gave them a grant of eight acres in Subiaco, the site, of their present hospital.
In Kalgoorlie the work of the Sisters of St. John of God is well-known and appreciated, but at present we shall confine ourselves to the branch at Subiaco. In the illustration the part of the building from the bay window to the left is the front of the Convent. There are thirteen resident sisters there. The building between the bay window and the windmill gives a small view of the front of the Hospital. The Hospital proper is subdivided into three, very, nice and well ventilated wards. There is the Private Ward capable of containing eight or ten beds. It gets the name of Private Ward-for the simple reason that each patient is screened off and fully enjoys the many comforts of privacy. The charge of three guineas pe' week is the fee for patients in this ward.
To the light of the Private Ward is the General Ward. This room, is capable of containing between 12 and 16 beds. And to the right of this again is the ward for females. In this as in the General Ward the charge per week is two guineas. As well in the Private as in both of the other Awards such patient, may have his or her own M.D.
In connection with the Hospital is a neat little surgery where the various medicines required are compounded by a qualified and legal practitioner, so that there is no delay in the preparation of the various tonics, etc. No patient suffering from an infectious disease is admitted into the Hospital.
The numbers of patients that have been cured of Typhoid and various other diseases bear testimony as well to the untiring care of the good Sisters as to the healthy position of the Hospital. In this the close of our go-a-head 19th century, it is admitted by all that the nursing is more than half the battle in the case of sickness. The fact is that two nurses is owing the cure of many patients.
In view of this fact, the Sisters of St. John of God intake nursing a very special study. They are in the truest sense qualified nurses. In their care of the sick they are actuated by a law higher than all other laws - the law of charity.
To be a Catholic is not the sine qua non for admission to the Hospital, the question of belief is a non est. All needing it tire admitted and cared for with the same untiring, generous and charitable attention.
Another feature, of the Sisters of St. John of God is that when required they go to private houses as nurses. We would not wish to see many sick but, as such evils must be, we strongly recommend all those who are suffering to have recourse to the Sisters at Subiaco. There they shall find every attention, every comfort, every ease.
As regards the structure of the building it is of galvanised iron both inside and outside, but between the two six inches of sawdust help to keep the summer's heat far from the inmates. In winter no doubt the wards would be cold were it not for the foresight of the Sisters who have stoves erected in each ward, by means of which a glow of heat may be sent through the wards in a few moments.
The position of the Hospital is unique. The sanitary arrangements are perfect. We have no hesitatio in saying that the more the Sisters of St., John of God are known the better will their good work be appreciated. They are doing splendid work in Ireland, they are doings splendid work here in our very midst, and shall continue to do the good work, but then of course they must be supported by us.
We should send our sick to them. There shall they be cared and well minded. We heartily wish the St. John of God hospital every success. Along with eating the sick, some of the Sisters teach school. Classes are held in the church. Upwards of 115 children there receive a thorough good training in the various branches of knowledge. So that we see the Sisters at Subiaco are doing excellent work in many ways. Ad multos Annos.
