Lottie Stewart Hospital
History
Lottie Stewart Hospital is dedicated to providing the highest standards of care in a Christian environment, acknowledging and respecting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of each person.
Lottie Stewart Hospital is an activity of the Wesley Mission and also a unit of the Sydney-West Area Health Service.
The Hospital, developed on land and buildings donated by Sir Frederick Stewart in memory of his first wife, was opened in 1948 as a 40-bed hospital for people with chronic and incurable illness. Extensions to the Hospital in 1953 raised the bed number of 114. In 1969, a further 15 beds were added making the total number of beds 129, and a Physiotherapy service commenced.
The Rehabilitation Centre was opened in 1976 and a bus was purchased to transport people from the community for treatment. The Palliative Care Unit commenced in 1985 and in 1986 the Cumberland Day Centre was opened, enabling older persons to enjoy social activities and participate in the carpentry workshop one or two days each week. Community education support groups were held in the Day Centre for people suffering from Arthritis and Parkinson’s Disease. In 1992, two purpose-built units (Lynford Lodge and Herring House) with a total of 32 beds, began to care for the Confused and Disoriented Elderly (CADE Units).
In 1993, the Board of Lottie Stewart Hospital and Western Sydney Area Health Service reviewed the needs of our community and devised a new role for the Hospital consisting of 14 Palliative Care beds, 10 Respite Care beds, 10 Transit Care beds, 17 Nursing Home beds, 16 Spinal Injury beds, 20 Geriatric Rehabilitation (sub-acute) beds, 32 Aged Care Psychiatry beds (CADE Units) and a Community Palliative Care Program.
In 1995, the Huntington’s Disease Unit was transferred from Lidcombe Hospital into new purpose-built extensions, raising the total complement of beds to 134.
Following negotiations between the Western Sydney Area Health Service and Lottie Stewart Hospital, 14 residents from the Medical Ward at Cumberland Hospital were relocated to Lottie Stewart Hospital in May 1998. The Ward in which these residents are now accommodated was named “Stewart Lodge”. Bed numbers in a number of other units changed also at this time, so that the total number of beds did not change.
An additional two beds were added to Lottie Stewart Hospital in 1998, bringing the total number to 136.
The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) surveyed the Hospital and awarded Lottie Stewart Hospital accreditation status. The Hospital was highly commenced for its commitment to providing quality service to patients and residents.
In 1998, Lottie Stewart Hospital celebrated its 50 th Anniversary and a book was commissioned to detail the achievements and highlights of the 50 years since its establishment.
The Hospital is accredited as a training centre for Clinical and Pastoral Care education as well as being a training hospital for Enrolled Nurses.
The Commonwealth Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency surveyed residential services in 2003 and 3 year accreditation status was awarded.
In December 2001, it was decided to transfer the Rehabilitation beds to Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospital. This included 21 inpatient beds and the outpatient services. There was also the transfer of many of the Allied Health Services that were associated with this move and the change of focus at Lottie to a smaller hospital service. This move took place over the Christmas holiday break so as to cause as little disturbance as possible to the patients.
In February 2002, with the retirement of Dr Evelyn Harding and the subsequent resignation of Dr Gillian Rothwell, the Palliative Unit was closed. These patient services were already being offered at Westmead. With the closure of the Palliative Care beds, there was an increase in the permanent aged care beds in Bevington.
In 2005 the Hospital profile is 92 beds comprising of the Bevington Unit for aged care, Terri Brasher Lodge for those with spinal injuries and aged care respite, Huntingtons Lodge for permanent and respite care catering for those affected with Huntingtons Disease and Stewart Lodge residential for those who are aged and long term mental illness, CADE Unit for the confused and disturbed elderly. The Huntingtons Outreach service is based at Lottie Stewart Hospital offering care and support for the individuals and their families who are affected by the Huntingtons Disease.
The history to date of Lottie Stewart Hospital portrays an institution that has adapted and expanded to address the challenges of changing needs within the community it was established to serve.
