History of Seymour Health

The hospital was funded by public subscription and leased to Matron L.C. Rutherford to treat ex-servicemen from World War I. 

In June 1951, over thirty years after it first opened, the hospital became a public community facility and plans were drawn for a new building.  The new 28-bed facility opened in 1959 and was officially named the Seymour District Hospital. In 1965, it was renamed the Seymour District Memorial Hospital.  At that time a six bed children’s ward was added.

A point of interest in the history of the hospital is the Memorial Gates, which bear the names of the district men who served in the "Great War" of 1914-1919.  The gates were originally unveiled in 1927, and were restored in 1966 and placed in their current location.  The gates are the focus of ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services in Seymour and the district.

The present acute services complex was officially opened in October 1996, following an extensive $3.5 million redevelopment. The older building from 1959 now houses the operating suite services, delivery suites and radiology services areas.  In 2004, Bretonneux Street was purchased from the Mitchell Shire Council to enable its closure as a through street for the redevelopment of Barrabill House.  The Rural Ambulance Services building was relocated to its present site adjacent to the helipad in Callen Street in May 2005.

In preparation for the redevelopment, in January 2006 the portable buildings were relocated to the Callen Street side of the Hospital block and now form a permanent consulting complex for the delivery of Women’s Health Services and general consulting. The Mitchell Community Health Services Annexe for the delivery of outreach services is also co-located on this site.

The District Nursing Service, Post Acute Care and Palliative Care Services were moved off-site to the Business complex in Emily Street, Seymour in preparation for the refurbishment of the old Barrabill House to what is now known as the Community Services Building. 

The replacement Residential Aged Care Services building was completed in 2006 and residents and staff moved into their wonderful new home.

The new Ambulatory Care Centre (previously known as Community Rehabilitation Centre) is complete and stands on the old Ambulance site in Villiers Street.  

On 21 February 2007 the Community Services Building was officially opened.  This refurbishment houses the Planned Activity Group, TAFE Laboratory, Video Conferencing & Education room, overnight accommodation, Palliative Care, Post Acute Care, District Nursing and Dialysis, allowing all services to be back on site.