The maternity hospital

5 Apr 2023

In response to continued demand for maternity beds during the post-World War II baby boom, the Sisters of St John of God opened a new maternity facility in October 1961. 

Photo above: Blessing and opening of the Maternity Section, 19 November 1961.

Formally known as the "Maternity Section" but more often referred to as the "Maternity Block", the new building was in fact a stand-alone hospital. Aside from some shared services such as meals, pathology and laundry, the Maternity Block operated independently from the general hospital next door. 

Designed by doctor and architects, the hospital was innovative in every way.

Photo above: Main entrance foyer of the St John of God Subiaco Hospital Maternity Section.

The new labour ward had six delivery rooms, each with only one bed. The delivery rooms were air-conditioned and equipped with a theatre
 lamp, oxygen, nitrous oxide and a suction unit. There were two theatres alongside the labour rooms for emergencies, and a specially furnished recovery room. 

There were also dedicated rooms for sterilising equipment and preparing milk for bottle feeding. 

The new Maternity Block had six wards: St Gerard, St Monica, St Catherine, St Bridget, St Margaret and St Camillus. Post-natal wards included deluxe, single and two-bed rooms. The majority were single, self-contained rooms with a hand basin, toilet and shower.

Rooms were decorated in restful pastel colours, had matching curtains and quilts, and a screened window providing fresh air.

Photo above: Single room in the St John of God Subiaco Hospital Maternity Section, 1960s.

Each ward had an air-conditioned nursery attached. Each nursery was divided into seven bays, each equipped with plug-in oxygen and suction supply. All nurseries also had baby changing and washing facilities, as well as a thermostatically controlled nappy warmer. 

In addition to the six nurseries attached to the post-natal suites, there was a Special Nursery for newborns needing intensive care nursing. 

This year, Subiaco proudly celebrates 125 years of providing hospitality, hope and healing to the community.

Photo above: Sister Ena Tobin SJG and nurse in the Special Nursery, circa 1970.

The Maternity Block was remodelled in 1978, the first step in a wider upgrade and redevelopment of the entire hospital campus.

Maternity services relocated to new maternity unit in South Block in 1990. The old maternity hospital was demolished in 1995 to make way for Subiaco Clinic, which opened in 1998.

Photo above: Upgraded private room, 1979.