Minutes, papers and accounts of St Mary's Hospital (1841-1863) Index: Royal Society Collection

Abstract

St Mary's Hospital was started by Dr Edward Samuel Pickard Bedford (1809-1876), younger son of Rev.William Bedford. It opened on 1 January 1841 as a subscription hospital, especially for the 'labouring classes', under a committee of management, and 5 trustees, with Dr Bedford as medical officer. It was situated at first in Campbell Street but a new building was erected in Davey Street (corner of Davey & Salamanca Place, later used as public offices) and opened about 1849. Bedford hoped in 1856 to make the hospital a training school but recognition was not granted by the Royal College of Surgeons and the hospital declined and was closed in 1862 owing to lack of financial support. Dr Bedford then moved to Sydney and became medical adviser to the N.S.W. government. Dr Bedford was a founder member and keen supporter of the Royal Society of Tasmania. RS. 28