Cumberland Hospital in Westmead, Australia’s oldest operational mental health facility, is marking 175 years of history since its opening on December 28, 1849. The largest facility of its kind in New South Wales, Cumberland has played a pivotal role in the evolution of mental health care.
The hospital, part of the Parramatta North heritage precinct, houses significant historical artifacts, including photographs, staff uniforms, and medical equipment, underscoring its role as a living museum of mental health care.
To commemorate this milestone, the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has produced a remarkable documentary series, 175 Years of Mental Health, chronicling the hospital’s legacy, the experiences of its patients, and its role in the community.
Episode one: In this first episode, we hear about the important role nurses have played throughout history at Cumberland Hospital.
Episode two: In this second episode, the traditional owners of the land are acknowledged.
Episode three: A behind-the-scenes look at ‘The Mural Room’, painted by former patient Australian artist Arnold St. Claire in 1972.
Episode four: At one point, Cumberland housed 2,000 patients with an onsite laundry, delivery vans, and a pig and vegetable farm, creating a self-sustaining community where many worked.
Episode five: A look into the future of mental health in Western Sydney
Graeme Loy, Chief Executive of WSLHD, highlights the hospital’s enduring importance.
“Cumberland Hospital has stood for 175 years as a healthcare facility with its staff dedicated to caring for patients during their most vulnerable times,” he said. He emphasised the evolution of mental health care and the significance of reflecting on both the past and future of services in Western Sydney.
NSW Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson recognised the hospital’s complex legacy while underscoring the importance of ongoing reform. “Cumberland Hospital is a fascinating case study of where we started and how far we have come in mental health care,” she said.
The NSW Government has committed $540 million to build a new Integrated Mental Health Unit at Westmead Hospital, with construction set to begin next year.
Cumberland Hospital’s rich history and ongoing transformation demonstrate its importance as a cornerstone of mental health care in Australia.
