A grey, timber-framed and weatherboard building more than 110 years old at the former Princess Margaret Hospital site has today been included in the State Register of Heritage Places.
Located on the corner of Hay and Thomas streets in Subiaco, the former Outpatients Building was built in 1909 and used as consulting rooms by doctors and nurses, with an emergency operating theatre for minor surgeries.
The modest, Federation Bungalow style timber-clad building was originally meant to be a temporary measure while the rest of the hospital was built. It went on to serve as the headquarters for the Children's Hospital Women's Auxiliary, as the first psychiatric clinic in the State and then finally a Multi-Faith Centre providing a place for people to go for prayer and spiritual reflection.
After community consultation last year, the Heritage Council of Western Australia recommended to the Minister that the register entry for Godfrey House (1913) be amended to also include the Outpatients Building and the entire place be renamed Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (fmr), Subiaco.
Godfrey House, which was initially included on the State Register in 2003, is a fine example of a two-storey, brick and Iron Federation Queen Anne building, and was originally built as accommodation for the Chief Medical Officer. The ornate style of the building is an indication of the status accredited to this position in the past.
As stated by Heritage Minister David Templeman:
"Princess Margaret Hospital was one of the world's leading paediatric facilities of its time providing care and comfort to thousands of Western Australians, and a career path for many nurses, doctors, researchers and specialist health professionals.
"The Outpatients Building is a rare surviving element of the earliest phase of development of Perth's first children's hospital.
"Together with Godfrey House, the Outpatients Building met a number of key clinical and social services and provides a historical connection to the early years of the hospital's operations and the healthcare offered to the children of Western Australia."
As stated by Nedlands MLA Dr Katrina Stratton:
"I am delighted that the Outpatients Building will be included on the State Heritage register.
"Princess Margaret Hospital was a special place for many Perth families and it is fitting that these two historic buildings are preserved for the future."
