Royal Derwent Descriptions
Royal Derwent Hospital
Royal Derwent Hospital is located in New Norfolk Tasmania Australia. RDH was built on vacant land already owned by the hospital on the opposite side of the Lachlan River to Willow Court. RDH was initially known as Lachlan Park Hospital until 27 March 1967 where The name Royal Derwent Hospital was granted by Royal Decree.
As Willow Court grew and expanded over many years so did ideas of better practice and facilities to treat people with Disabilities and Mental Health issues.It was during the 1950’s when planning and development began on a new hospital based on a pavilion model for asylums
Work first took place on the new hospital in 1954 with the building of the Steam Plant or Boiler room, workshops and kitchen. The Construction of the actual RDH wards begun in 1957 and concluded in 1966.
Most of the RDH Wards accommodated up to 30 patients at one time.
Work began on Ward 1 & 2 in 1957; The patients accommodated in Ward 2 were classified or deemed ‘chronic’ in nature.
Ward 3 was built one year later and was used to house patients with epilepsy.
Wards 4, 5, 8 & 9 were constructed in the following year in 1959. Ward 4 housed epileptic patients whilst Wards 5, 8 & 9 were accommodating ‘chronic’ patients.
The multi story nurses home was built in 1961 which replaced the already existing nurse cottage on the Willow Court side. The old Nurses cottage was later used for male staff and patients.
The rest of the Wards which included Ward 6, 7, 11 & 12 were built between 1965 and1966.
Ward 6 was housed ‘chronic’ patients, Ward 7 for ‘refractory’ cases, Ward 11 for ‘chronic’ patients.
Ward 12 was a bit different it consisted of the admission ward, clerical, nursing admin, reception, records and a pharmacy.
Ward 7 was built in 1965 and used to house refectory patients. Ward 7 was basically a secure ward for mentally ill patients who pose a risk to harming themselves or others. A lot of the patients were classified as psychotic. Stats indicate that 25% of the clients resided in Ward 7 for many years whilst up to 50% were only admitted for a few weeks.
Other buildings and amentaties were built between 1965-1968 which included Occupational Therapy, Social Centre, and Chapel etc.
Ii is believed at one stage Willow Court housed at least 1500 patients.
WARD 1
Psycho geriatric ward for elderly men, mostly non-ambulant, yes there were lots of deaths, mainly due to age and ill health. Usually always locked.
Ward 1 was being used by Claremont College after closure. Below is a planning approval from the DVC to develop an educational establisment.
The first block in RDH built in the 1950’s and has been significantly upgraded since. Currently arranged to accommodate 30 residents in single and multi bed wards. The character of the inferior is institutional with total lack of privacy in the central 3 bed wards. Single rooms are very small and offer no facilities. Dining and dayroom area rarer large and gaunt with vinyl flooring and bland colour schemes. @ solariums have been added along the face of the central ward wing and these are attractive places to sit.
| Number of residents | 30 | Area/resident | 45m2 |
| Area of Building | 1,340m2 | Capital Value | ($950/m2) = $1.27m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | Timber/concrete | Heating | Steam/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | Cavity brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Plasterbd/ Acoustic tile | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish Structure | Tile/ColourbondTrussed | Sprinklers | Yes |
| Windows | Aluminium | Asbestos | Yes |
*As of Dec 1993
WARD 2
Same as Ward 1 but for women. Usually always locked, primarily to stop confused old ladies wandering off.
Built slightly later than ward 1 but has never been upgraded from original condition. The plan is basically the same although there are minor differences around the dayroom area. The lack of solariums means that the central wards have external; windows.
| Number of residents | 30 | Area/resident | 36m2 |
| Area of Building | 1,100m2 | Capital Value | ($950/m2) = $1.4m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | Rendered brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Plasterbd/ Acoustic tile | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish Structure | Tile/ColourbondTrussed/struts | Sprinklers | No |
| Windows | Steel | Asbestos | Yes |
*As of Dec 1993
WARD 3
Changed a bit over the years but was used for females for many years, mainly 20 – 40 year olds, mixture of psych and mild mental retardation patients. Usually locked after 7.00pm
Constructed from load bearing brickwork external walls with the pitched roof carried on trusses, concrete floors and non load bearing internal brick walls with hard plaster finish. Common rooms have an acoustic tile ceiling finish while other arrears have sheet plaster
| Number of residents | 30 | ||
| Area of Building | 940m2 | Capital Value | ($900/m2) = $.85m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | Rendered brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Plasterbd/ Acoustic tile | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish Structure | Tile/ColourbondTrussed/struts | Sprinklers | No |
| Windows | Steel | Asbestos | Yes |
*As of Dec 1993
WARD 4
For many years was used for alcoholics but changed to a mixed rehab ward for some of the better, more independent patients (20 – 50 year old). Usually locked after 7.00pm
Ward 4 is basically the same as Ward
| Number of residents | 30 | ||
| Area of Building | 940m2 | Capital Value | ($900/m2) = $.85m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | Rendered brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Plasterbd/ Acoustic tile | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish Structure | Tile/ColourbondTrussed/struts | Sprinklers | No |
| Windows | Steel | Asbestos | Yes |
*As of Dec 1993
WARD 5
Psycho geriatric ward for elderly females who were more ambulant than Ward 2 patients. Ward usually always locked .
This Ward is basically the same as ward 2
| Number of residents | 30 | ||
| Area of Building | 1,100m2 | Capital Value | ($950/m2) = $1.04m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | Rendered brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Plasterbd/ Acoustic tile | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish Structure | Tile/ColourbondTrussed/struts | Sprinklers | No |
| Windows | Steel | Asbestos | Yes |
*As of Dec 1993
WARD 6
Rehab ward for mixed sexes, mostly chronic schizophrenics that were reasonably independent. Ward was locked after 7.00pm.
This Ward is basically the same as ward 2
| Number of residents | 28 | Area/resident | 39m2 |
| Area of Building | 1,100m2 | Capital Value | ($900/m2) = $1.04m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | Rendered brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Plasterbd/ Acoustic tile | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish Structure | Tile/ColourbondTrussed/struts | Sprinklers | No |
| Windows | Steel | Asbestos | Yes |
*As of Dec 1993
WARD 7
Not maximum security. Classified as minimal security. Primarily used for long term psychotic male patients who were difficult to contain on other wards that were open during the day and also used for short-term patients who had become psychotic and difficult to manage on other wards. They had some good rehab programs on this ward at one stage. They had a large hot house and did a lot of plant propagation, these were sold to raise some revenue for the ward. Ward always locked.
Built as a secure Ward. There have been modifications since its was built in an attempt to subdivide the day room while maintaining observation, reorganising the dormitory area to give more privacy, rearranging the duty office area to give better circulation, otherwise the internal areas are basically original.
| Number of residents | 22 | Area/resident | 71m2 |
| Area of Building | 1,560m2 | Capital Value | ($1050/m2) = $1.60m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | Rendered brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Plasterbd/ conc slab | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish Structure | TileTrusses | Sprinklers | Yes |
| Windows | Steel | Asbestos | Yes |
*As of Dec 1993
WARD 8
Mixed sexes, aged about 30 – 60, usually chronic burnt-out schizophrenics. Usually locked after 7.00pm
This Ward is basically the same as ward 2
| Number of residents | 30 | ||
| Area of Building | 1,100m2 | Capital Value | ($950/m2) = $1.04m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | Rendered brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Plasterbd/ Acoustic tile | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish Structure | Tile/ColourbondTrussed/struts | Sprinklers | No |
| Windows | Steel | Asbestos | Yes |
*As of Dec 1993
WARD 9
Females only, for many years had a mixture of psychotic and mentally retarded patients, usually locked after 7.00pm
This Ward is basically the same as ward 2
| Number of residents | 30 | ||
| Area of Building | 1,100m2 | Capital Value | ($950/m2) = $1.04m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | Rendered brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Plasterbd/ Acoustic tile | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish Structure | Tile/ColourbondTrussed/struts | Sprinklers | No |
| Windows | Steel | Asbestos | Yes |
*As of Dec 1993
WARD 10
Often referred to as maximum security, always locked, male patients only, all ages, usually very disturbed and often prone to violence. In the early days the patients on this ward were quite prone to violence but by the time it was shut down the type of patients were far less violent, probably because of modern medications. Ward C on the Willow Court side was a true maximum security ward. Usually had very disturbed patients and insane criminals. Controlled by security officers, nurses only went near patients when there was a security officer with you.
Basically the same as Ward 7. An area between the entrance and one wing has been in filled to give additional space and currently parts of the building are being used by the hospital upholster. Structurally the building appears to be in sound condition but internally it’s run down
| Number of residents | |||
| Area of Building | 1,100m2 | Capital Value | ($950/m2) = $1.04m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | Rendered brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Plasterbd/ conc slab | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish Structure | Tile/ColourbondTrusses | Sprinklers | Yes |
| Windows | Steel | Asbestos | Yes |
*As of Dec 1993
WARD 11
Psycho geriatric male ward with patients similar to Ward 5. Usually locked after 7.00pm
Basically the same as ward 2. It is generally in good condition and was recently used as a substitute while New Norfolk Hospitalwas being upgraded.
| Number of residents | 30 | ||
| Area of Building | 1,100m2 | Capital Value | ($950/m2) = $1.04m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Plasterbd/ Acoustic tile | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish Structure | Tile/ColourbondTrussed/struts | Sprinklers | No |
| Windows | Steel | Asbestos | Yes |
*As of Dec 1993
WARD 12
Admissions Ward, Doctors offices, Central Pharmacy. This is the ward that all the ECT’s were done on.
One of the later Wards. In addition to housing ward 12, the admission ward it also accommodates some of RDH clerical and nursing administration, the reception area, medical record and, in a later addition, the hospital pharmacy. The building is poorly planned with unsatisfactory relationship of elements, particularly in the ward area, but is lied by staff because of the generous space provisions. The finishes are hard and uncompromising and the colour scheme bland. The ward are can accommodates 16 residents, 12 single rooms in a dormitory wing and 4 in single rooms originally planned for staff use. The central office is raised up some 550mm which puts the staff in an unfortunate over bearing situation relative to the residents. It is also badly located and cannot properly control all resident areas.
| Number of residents | |||
| Area of Building (ex. Admin, pharmacy) Area of Building (inc. admin, Pharmacy)
|
1,387m2
2,039m2 |
Capital Value | ($1000/m2) = $2.04m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Sheet plaster | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish Structure | Flat Sheet | Sprinklers | No |
| Windows | Aluminium | Asbestos | Yes |
| Structure | Column and beam |
*As of Dec 1993
Nurses Home (1961)
Four Storey concrete framed structure with brick cladding externally and brick internal walls with hard plaster finish. The ground floor comprises lounge, recreation room, public toilets, service rooms, senior staff flat and individual bedrooms. Upper floors each repeat the bedrooms and have bathrooms, toilets and small lounge. A lift serves all floors. Each bedroom has built in wardrobe, hand basin and vanity counter. The bedrooms on the top floor are generally bigger than those below.
| Number of residents | 53 | Area/Residnet | 40m2 |
| Area of Building | 2,100m2 | Capital Value | ($950/m2) = $2.00m |
| No. Stories | Four |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | Concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Sheet Plaster | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish | Flat Sheet | Sprinklers | - |
| Windows | Aluminium | Asbestos | Yes |
| Structure | Column & Beam |
*As of Dec 1993
Amenities (social) Centre (1967)
The Social Centre consists of a 260 seat fully equipped theatre, gym complete with changing facilities, large open dining area capable of subdivision with 2 private dining rooms and complete with servery and kitchen, library/games room area, kiosk, 25m open air swimming pool, children’s pool and dedicated changing faculties, enclosed link way through to nurses home.
| Area of Building: ex Pool 25m pool plus wad’pool | 3,000m2 | Capital Value | ($1000/m2) = $3.00m
$.25m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | concrete | Heating | Steam/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Sheet plaster/ Acoustic tile | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish | Flat sheet | Sprinklers | - |
| Windows | Aluminium | Asbestos | Yes |
| Stricture | Column & beam |
*As of Dec 1993
Laundry
| Area of Building Inc covered areas | 1,377m2 | Capital Value | ($950/m2) = $1.30m |
| No. Stories | one |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | Concrete | Heating | Steam/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Sheet Plaster | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish | Flat Sheet | Sprinklers | - |
| Windows | Aluminium | Asbestos | Yes |
| Structure | Column & Beam |
*As of Dec 1993
Kitchen (1953)
Upgraded in 1967, it was designed to serve a population of upwards of 1000
| Area of Building | 1,110m2 | Capital Value | ($1,100/m2) = $1.22m |
| No. Stories | One |
*As of Dec 1993
Construction Services
| Floors | Concrete | Heating | Steam/rads/hot air |
| Walls – External Internal | brickworkBrick/Hard plaster | Ventilation | Ducted/natural |
| Ceiling | Sheet Plaster | Fire detectors | Yes |
| Roof – Finish | Flat Sheet | Sprinklers | - |
| Windows | Aluminium | Asbestos | Yes |
| Structure | Column & Beam |
*As of Dec 1993
Other General Information
I’ll be back again, thanks for the info.
Thanks, no worries
Nice blog , how can i join your email list ?
Good site!
The top floor of the nurses home had bigger rooms and was used mostly back in the 70s/80s for third year nursing staff and sisters as far as I can remember.
Fantastic info