Historical Background of Edendale Hospital

Reverend James Allison, a Methodist missionary in 1855 acquired a land on the farm Welverdient, previously owned by Andries Pretorius, and established his second mission which he called “Edendale” . The site chosen for the new hospital in 1945 is in the Edendale area near Plessislaer, 9km from Pietermaritzburg. The seven story building was completed after 3 years. The foundation stone was laid by administrator Dr D.S. Shepstone in July 1951 and the first patients were admitted on the 1st March 1954. Initially, it was meant to accommodate 620 patients but due to a large and rapidly growing population since 1954 more building were erected.
 

Service provided General surgery Anaesthetics Obstetrics and Gynaecology Medicine Pathology Radiology Orthopaedic surgery E.N.T Paediatrics Neurosurgery Ophthalmology Psychiatry Urology Community Health Services-In 1974 nine clinics were functioning of which some were taken over from state health. Mobile service Nursing Education-Training Students of different races

Dr Colenbrander the first radiologist for Edendale Hospital with the 1990/91 group of supplementary trainees of Radiographers before the training became the full responsibility of Durban Institute of Technology

In addition to medical superintendent and his deputy there was a group of part time visiting doctors and specialists. There were posts for senior medical officers and interns but not all of these posts were filled during the early years.

Paramedical staff
Physiotherapists, Radiographers, medical social worker, dispensary staff were also available.

College of Nursing
Edendale Hospital as a training centre received a number of applicants of all races and good results were obtained by student nurses with several distinctions

Employing bodies
The hospital was first administered by NPA from 1 March 1954 to 31st May 1970 when it was taken over by RSA-State up until 30th September 1977. On the 1st of October, KwaZulu Government took over up to 31st March 1994 from the 1st April 1994 to date the hospitals in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal are administered by the Department of Health KwaZulu Natal.

Social activities of Edendale Hospital

• Drum majorettes were formed and were participating in all hospital activities.
• Soccer team played quite often and won some matches.
• Basket ball was also played by student nurses and used to invite other teams outside hospital e.g. teachers.
• Social activities related to doctors: Doctors enjoyed themselves playing field cricket, hockey and golf. There were always representatives from Edendale hospital s in the comrade’s marathon and the canoe marathon.

Milestones

• Relatively unique in S A was the provision of a post operative recovery ward through which all patients pass after surgery.
• Also unique in S A was a provision of a central sterilizing departments as well as the separate burns unit.
• The new wing as an extension of the hospital that provided eight wards was built in 1966.
• In 1968 the new laboratory, stores department and blood bank were built.
• In 1969 medical and paediatric out patients departments were added.
• In 1970, the near-by Cripple Care Centre previously administered by the State Health was transferred to the administration of Edendale Hospital known as “KWAHLENGABANTU”
• The Edendale Hospital was the first hospital in S A to provide intensive care units for surgical and medical conditions known as 2R. The medical intensive care unit was added in 1974.
• In 1982 a paeditric surgical intensive care unit was opened next to female surgical ward
• Staff were transferred from Greys Hospital in Pietermaritzburg whose congestion was relieved by the erection of Edendale Hospital. Therefore from 1st March 1954 Greys hospital provided for the needs of whites only. Theoether races which were Indians, Coloureds, and Blacks were all moved to Edendale Hospital

Back to Edendale hospital homepage

Disclaimer | KZN Department of Health

Contact Web Administrator