4. Geriatric Care and Rehabilitation: the 1950s 

In the 1950s, a new approach to geriatric treatment was introduced with emphasis being placed on short-term accommodation for patients undergoing rehabilitation. Services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy were introduced to encourage more independence for the elderly thus enabling them to return to independent living at home. In 1955, the first specialist Geriatrician, Dr Graeme Larkins, was appointed. There was also an extensive building program undertaken. Smaller units were constructed instead of the larger wards and some existing buildings demolished. A new Kiosk on the northern end of the 1875 courtyard was built in 1950. In 1955, the Ambrose Pratt Memorial Chapel was constructed, and in 1957 a new 76-bed purpose built rehabilitation, research and education unit, the Sir Herbert Olney Geriatric Unit, was completed. This was the first hospital unit in the southern hemisphere built specifically to provide geriatric rehabilitation. The clinical expertise at the unit completely changed ideas on the treatment and care of the elderly.

In 1958, the institution became known as Mount Royal Special Hospital for the Aged. From this period the care of the aged remained the dominant focus, with new services associated with the research and education into the clinical, preventive, remedial and social aspects of illness in the elderly being introduced in the decades to come.