King Edward Memorial Hospital

King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women is located at 374 Bagot Road, Subiaco, Western Australia. It is Western Australia's largest maternity hospital and only referral centre for complex pregnancies.

It provides pregnancy and neonatal care within the greater Perth Metropolitan area. In cases where patients have gone to private maternity clinics, they may be moved to KEMH if complications occur. All cases of complicated pregnancy in Western Australia are transferred to KEMH by the Royal Flying Doctor's Service.

History

In 1909, a meeting was convened in Perth by the Women's Service Guild to discuss the establishment of a new maternity hospital. At the time in Perth, there were only a few private maternity clinics, and charitable organizations providing services to the poor, but no dedicated public maternity hospital facilities. The main outcome of the 1909 meeting was to appoint a committee to pursue the matter, jointly chaired by Edith Cowan and Jane Scott. Between 1910 and 1915 the committee wrangled with the Government and raised funds to support the establishment of a Hospital. Plans were suggested for building an extra ward at the Perth Public Hospital, or as an adjunct to the Home of Mercy in Lincoln Street, but eventually the site of the Industrial School in Subiaco was chosen.

The hospital was named the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women as a lasting memorial to King Edward VII, who died in 1910.

The hospital commenced operating on 14 July 1916. 101 babies were born in the first 6 months of operation. At the time, the hospital charged a standard fee of £3 3s for 'confinement' and fourteen days of post-natal care.