Gosford Hospital is celebrating a major milestone this week, marking 80 years of continuous care for the Central Coast community.
The region’s main public hospital first opened its doors on May 26, 1945, following decades of lobbying and planning.
Although the Holden Street site was gazetted as early as 1903, it wasn’t until the end of World War II that Gosford finally got a dedicated hospital.
The opening drew a crowd of 1,500 residents and was officiated by the NSW Health Minister at the time, Christopher Augustus Kelly.
Back then, Gosford’s population was around 32,000.
The hospital launched with 34 beds and 12 nursing staff.
In its first year, 175 babies were born there, beginning a long tradition of local families receiving care close to home.
The hospital grew steadily over the years, reaching 63 beds by 1958.
In 1947, Foundation Matron Nona Knight established a nursing school that would go on to train generations of Central Coast healthcare professionals.
Today, Gosford Hospital stands as the largest public hospital on the Coast, with 484 beds and strong links to the University of Newcastle.
Its emergency department is now among the busiest in the state.
A recent $368M redevelopment brought in state-of-the-art facilities to meet growing demand.
Gosford Hospital’s 80th anniversary is a chance for locals to acknowledge the many hands that have contributed to its growth and its care over the decades.
may 1966 Born at Gosford Hospital. wow means it was 20 years young,my mum was 20,thanks for the story