Our history

Our history

Watch: Our history through Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery images

• 1811
  Lachlan Macquarie ordered construction of the first purpose-built hospital for Hobart.
• 1820
  The two-storey ‘new general hospital’ opened with four wards and 56 beds.
• 1880s
  The ‘convict hospital’ redeveloped with new buildings and clean wards.
• 1910
  The children's block opened, and the number of beds reached 175.
• 1925
  The number of beds grew to 250 beds by 1925.
• 1935
  Premier Albert Ogilvie spent 10 days in the hospital.
  He then persuaded the government to develop a more modern building.
• Late-1930s
  The original sandstone buildings were demolished.
  A new acute building (C Block) of 304 beds was built.
  Royal Hobart Hospital became one of the most up-to-date hospitals in Australia.
• 1937
  The hospital received a ‘Royal’ title, coat of arms and Latin motto.
  The motto means 'To Care with Compassion'.
• Post-war decades
  Further building work occurred.
  The hospital became an undergraduate teaching hospital.
  The hospital also gained postgraduate recognition.
• 1970
  The North East Building (A Block) was opened by HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
• 1995-1999
  Almost 80 per cent of the hospital was upgraded.
  This was to support the teaching centre.
• 1999
  Hobart Private Hospital moved to the Royal Hobart Hospital in the Queen Alexandra Wing.
• 2007
  The $15.4 million Emergency Department opened in March.
  It comprises Tasmania’s first combined neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit.
  It also has a pain management clinic, two operating theatres and recovery rooms and other support areas.