King Edward Memorial Hospital celebrates 110 years of service

Western Australia's largest tertiary women and newborn hospital, King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH), recently celebrated 110 years of providing leading maternity and gynaecology care to Western Australian women.

In 1916, KEMH officially opened its doors with just 32 staff and delivered 304 babies in its first year of operation.

Today Western Australia’s largest tertiary women and newborn hospital has with more than 1200 health care workers and delivers 5500 newborns each year.

KEMH’s leading gynaecology services include a state-wide cancer service for women at risk of or with a gynaecologic cancer diagnosis as well as specialist clinics for endometriosis, complex pelvic pain, menopause and urogynaecology.

WNHS Executive Director Jeffrey Williams said since opening KEMH had always been at the forefront of maternity, neonatal and women’s healthcare, helping generations of Western Australians through some of the most important moments of their lives.

“While we often reflect on the buildings, the milestones and the achievements, the true story of King Eddies has always been its people,” he said.

“For 110 years, dedicated teams of clinicians, support staff, researchers, volunteers and leaders have provided exceptional care, compassion and expertise to women, babies and families across Western Australia.

“But while we celebrate our past, we are equally focused on the future; the same spirit of innovation, compassion and determination that has carried us through the past 110 years will guide us into the next chapter of women’s and newborn healthcare.”

Minister for Health, Hon Meredith Hammat, congratulated and thanked everyone who work or who had ever worked at KEMH on the milestone and the contribution they had made to support Western Australians over the years.

"King Edward Memorial Hospital is a leader in its field, an advocate for women's health care, but, above all, its success belongs to the special people behind the service who offer extraordinary care every day,” she said.

A celebratory event, attended by the Health Minister, with past and current long-standing staff was held to mark the occasion.

Clinical Midwife Lorna Bower, one of the longest current staff members with more than 45 years of service, cut a birthday cake to officially mark the milestone.
Long-standing staff members, Professor of Obstetrics John Newnham AM and former KEMH Nursing and Midwifery Director Robyn Collins delivered speeches at the event, recognising their personal career and the strong history of the hospital.

A 'Walk Down Memory Lane' photographic display was held in the hospital entry corridor, for staff, patients and visitors.

A Story Quilt, created over five years by a group of dedicated volunteer quilters also formed part of the display. The quilt has been designed to capture the rich history, memories and spirit of KEMH and is now permanently installed in the hospital entry corridor.