Jessie McPherson Private Hospital was created as the private wing of the Queen Victoria Hospital in the city of Melbourne, opening its doors for the first time on 1 December 1931.
The Queen Victoria Hospital, established in 1896, was celebrated as the first women’s hospital in Victoria, it was also one of only three in the world operated for women, by women. The Queen Victoria provided training and employment for a small but increasing number of women doctors. At the time these doctors were mostly unwelcome in the Victorian medical establishment, and the new hospital was a radical recognition that they were a necessity to the women of Victoria.
Jessie McPherson Private Hospital functioned as the private section of the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, with fees paid to attend Jessie McPherson helping to finance the Queen Vic, enabling the hospital to be self-supporting.
You can read a timeline of Jessie McPherson’s history dating back to 1800’s feminism here.
Monash Health & Jessie McPherson Private Hospital
Just Stoelwinder, was the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Health Care Network (now known as Monash Health) and before that foundation CEO of Monash Medical Centre and CEO of the Queen Victoria Medical Centre, Melbourne. Just led the development of Monash Medical Centre in 1986, the re-location project of the Queen Victoria Medical Centre and with it Jessie McPherson Private hospital to Clayton, its merger with Prince Henry’s Hospital and Moorabbin Hospital to form the Monash Medical Centre.
In a recent interview Just shared memories from this crucial time in the history of Victoria’s Health Service provision.
“Jessie McPherson is a unique organisation, once the private wing of the Queen Victoria Medical Centre, now it is the only private hospital in Victoria owned by a public health service. Setting up Jessie McPherson as a charitable private hospital at the new Clayton site in 1986 made a major contribution to the establishment of the new Monash Medical Centre by ensuring the new site could provide as many beds as possible to the growing population of the South Eastern suburbs.”
Jessie McPherson operates as a charitable organisation, for the benefit of Monash Health. Fees for provision of care above the cost of service are reinvested into the public health service.
Andrew Stripp, shared his thoughts on the anniversary, “The Jessie McPherson Private Hospital team are to be congratulated on this considerable milestone and their contribution to the pursuit of excellence as part of the Monash Health family. After 90 years, the legacy of Sir William McPherson is still evident at Jessie McPherson, which is to provide the very best care, experience and outcomes to the community they serve.”
Celebrations
Whilst the team at Jessie McPherson are limited in celebrating, they are enjoying spreading some joy with 90th balloon displays around the Clayton site.
“We are proud to be part of the enduring legacy of the fondly remembered Queen Vic. Proud to be supporting our colleagues at Monash Health, and exceptionally proud of providing excellent care to our fellow Victorians.” Thinesh Chandraratne, CEO, Jessie McPherson Private Hospital.
The Jessie McPherson Executive Leadership Team (plus special guests) have an anniversary video message for the Jessie McPherson and Monash Health community.
