Agency
Sanatorium for Consumptives, Greenvale (also known as Greenvale Sanatorium)
VA 1277
1905 - 1956
Agency names
Officially known as: Sanatorium for Consumptives, Greenvale
The Sanatorium for Consumptives, Greenvale (sometimes called Broadmeadows Consumptive Sanatorium) was established under the administration of the Department of Public Health (VA 2904). It was opened by the Minister of Health, the Hon. E.H. Cameron on 10 May 1905 to treat people, both adults and children, with tuberculosis (Department of Public Health, Victoria, 1907). The historical term 'consumptive/consumption' refers to the associated weight loss that can be caused by tuberculosis. Greenvale was the first purpose-built Government sanatorium in Victoria.
Accommodation was originally for 35 patients in seven tents, however this slowly expanded. By 1907, there were 19 staff including one doctor, one matron, and seven nurses. Initially, the purview of the hospital was to treat and rehabilitate early-stage Tuberculosis patients with an outdoor-based regime of light farm work and household duties so that they may re-enter society with minimal infection to others. From 1912, the agricultural activities of the hospital expanded significantly until a Royal Commission was held on 29 August 1918 to investigate allegations of embezzlement of goods and produce farmed by the patients (Victoria Government Gazette, 31 July 1918, page 2306).
From 1925 only female patients were admitted to Greenvale. As treatments for tuberculosis improved over the first half of the 20th century the need for sanatoriums declined. New drug treatments for tuberculosis made the Sanatorium redundant and this function of the facility was discontinued with the last patients discharged February 1956. (VPRS 17802)
The site was repurposed for aged care with new facilities built from 1955 to 1956. The Greenvale Village for the Aged (VA 5267) was inaugurated on 22 August 1955 and registered by the Hospitals and Charities Commission (VA 694) 19 September 1955. (Annual report 1956)
Accommodation was originally for 35 patients in seven tents, however this slowly expanded. By 1907, there were 19 staff including one doctor, one matron, and seven nurses. Initially, the purview of the hospital was to treat and rehabilitate early-stage Tuberculosis patients with an outdoor-based regime of light farm work and household duties so that they may re-enter society with minimal infection to others. From 1912, the agricultural activities of the hospital expanded significantly until a Royal Commission was held on 29 August 1918 to investigate allegations of embezzlement of goods and produce farmed by the patients (Victoria Government Gazette, 31 July 1918, page 2306).
From 1925 only female patients were admitted to Greenvale. As treatments for tuberculosis improved over the first half of the 20th century the need for sanatoriums declined. New drug treatments for tuberculosis made the Sanatorium redundant and this function of the facility was discontinued with the last patients discharged February 1956. (VPRS 17802)
The site was repurposed for aged care with new facilities built from 1955 to 1956. The Greenvale Village for the Aged (VA 5267) was inaugurated on 22 August 1955 and registered by the Hospitals and Charities Commission (VA 694) 19 September 1955. (Annual report 1956)
Jurisdiction: Victoria
