Perth Children’s Hospital dates back to 1897, when a young girl gave threepence to Perth businessman Charles Moore and said she would like to donate it to the children’s hospital.
In 1909, after 12 years of fundraising and lobbying efforts, the girl’s wish came true when Perth’s Children’s Hospital opened to the public.
The original facility included 40 beds, an operating theatre and outpatient department.
It was renamed Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in 1949, after Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II.
While PMH underwent many renovations over the years, WA’s rapidly growing and changing population meant more room was needed. It was determined that building a new, purpose-built children’s hospital would better address the community’s future paediatric health needs.
At its closure, PMH had approximately 220 beds and served more than 280,000 patients per year.
https://pch.health.wa.gov.au/About-us/History/Princess-Margaret-Hospital
The original Perth Children’s Hospital opened in Subiaco in June 1909 after 12 years of community fundraising sparked by a young girl’s donation of threepence. [1, 2, 3]
Origins and Fundraising (1897–1908)
- The Threepence: In 1897, a young girl gave three pennies to Perth businessman Charles Moore to help build a hospital for sick children.
- Community Effort: Local citizens spent 12 years raising money and lobbying the government for a dedicated pediatric facility.
- Laying the Stone: The government provided funding in 1906, allowing workers to lay the foundation stone. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Opening of the Subiaco Site (1909)
- First Wing: Builders finished the first section on the corner of Hay and Thomas Streets in Subiaco.
- Initial Capacity: The hospital started with 40 beds split evenly between medical and surgical wards.
- Key Rooms: The site included an operating theatre and a busy outpatient department. [1, 2, 3]
Later Renaming and Relocation
- New Name: Officials renamed the facility Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in 1949 to honor the royal visitor.
- Modern Replacement: As the state grew, the old site became too small. Services transferred to the modern Perth Children’s Hospital at the QEII Medical Centre in Nedlands during 2018.