Mental health facilities guide

Find out the different types of patient records available and where to access them.

Records we hold

We hold records of patients of the following State managed mental health facilities. Note that many records of mental health facilities are incomplete.

Individual facilities

For further information about our holdings you can consult our catalogue.

Tip: use the Agency links in the table above for quick access.

You can also search for the Function 'Health'. The information provided includes a list of agencies exercising that function.

Inspector General of Mental Hospitals

As well as records of individual facilities, we also hold records of the Inspector General of Mental Hospitals (see under Agency No. 60 in our catalogue).

Typical records of mental health facilities

Control records

Indexes

Indexes are arranged alphabetically by the name of the patient. Records that have been indexed include registers of patients, admission books and medical case books.

Registers of patients and admission books

These volumes are arranged chronologically and generally give the following details: date of last previous admission (if any); number on register; number for the year; date of admission; name; sex; age; social condition; number of children; occupation; nativity; residence; religion; form of mental disorder; supposed causes of insanity; insane relations; previous attacks; duration of existing attack; age at first attack; date of discharge; if recovered, relieved, not improved or died; time in hospital; observations; bodily disorders; suicidal tendencies, etc.

Registers of discharges, removals and deaths

These volumes are arranged chronologically by date of death, discharge or removal of patients. Details given include: date of last admission; number in Register of patients; name in full; if recovered, relieved, not improved or died; assigned cause of death; age at death; and observations (eg. transferred to another hospital etc.).

Case papers/medical case books/admission files

Admission files

These papers give details of patient's name, occupation, place of abode, date of admission, age, marital status, native place, religious persuasion and a brief outline of case history up to the time of admission - previous admissions, insane relations, doctors' and relatives' observations on the patient's behaviour. Some files also include correspondence, eg. letters from other institutions noting transfer and letters to the hospital from relatives concerning belongings, visiting, etc.

Case papers

These files provide a record of a patient's treatment. They contain such information as admission and discharge details; a medical summary; progress notes; behaviour and treatment records; test results, personal effects lists and correspondence.

Medical case books

Entries in these volumes are arranged chronologically by date of admission. The patient's physical and mental condition before, and at the time of admission, is described and the final entry for each case notes whether the patient was discharged, transferred to another hospital or died. Other details given include: age, weight, social condition, number of children, occupation, nativity, residence, religion, form of mental disorder, supposed cause, duration of attack, previous attacks, date of last admission (if any), treatment and summary of medical certificate. Notes are then made at irregular intervals on a patient's behaviour and condition while he remains in the hospital.

Related records

Colonial Secretary's papers

There are no surviving registers of patients for Castle Hill Lunatic Asylum (1811-1825), however there are numerous references to patients being admitted to the asylum in the Index to Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1825.

There are references in the Colonial Secretary's correspondence to patients being admitted to mental health facilities during the 19th century, after 1825. Documents include warrants of admission. The Colonial Secretary's correspondence can be accessed using the indexes and registers and Joan Reese's Index to Convicts and Others.

Records held elsewhere

A number of State managed mental health facilities have not transferred all their records to NSW State Archives. These facilities include Bloomfield Hospital at Orange, Stockton Hospital at Newcastle and Kenmore Hospital near Goulburn. If the records are found not to be part of the State Archives Collection we will refer you to the appropriate agency to make further enquiries.

Access

Patient-identifying records more than 110 years old are Open to Public Access (OPA). You can access the records in the reading room.

Individual facilities

For further information about our holdings you can consult our catalogue (Tip: use the Agency links in the table above for quick access).

You can also search for the Function 'Health'. The information provided includes a list of agencies exercising that function.

Records listed under 'Inspector General of Mental Hospitals'

As well as records of individual facilities, we also hold records of the Inspector General of Mental Hospitals (see under Agency No. 60 in our catalogue).

Typical records of mental health facilities

Control records

Indexes

Indexes are arranged alphabetically by the name of the patient. Records that have been indexed include registers of patients, admission books and medical case books.

Registers of patients and admission books

These volumes are arranged chronologically and generally give the following details: date of last previous admission (if any); number on register; number for the year; date of admission; name; sex; age; social condition; number of children; occupation; nativity; residence; religion; form of mental disorder; supposed causes of insanity; insane relations; previous attacks; duration of existing attack; age at first attack; date of discharge; if recovered, relieved, not improved or died; time in hospital; observations; bodily disorders; suicidal tendencies, etc.

Registers of discharges, removals and deaths

These volumes are arranged chronologically by date of death, discharge or removal of patients. Details given include: date of last admission; number in Register of patients; name in full; if recovered, relieved, not improved or died; assigned cause of death; age at death; and observations (eg. transferred to another hospital etc.).

Case papers/medical case books/admission files

Admission files

These papers give details of patient's name, occupation, place of abode, date of admission, age, marital status, native place, religious persuasion and a brief outline of case history up to the time of admission - previous admissions, insane relations, doctors' and relatives' observations on the patient's behaviour. Some files also include correspondence, eg. letters from other institutions noting transfer and letters to the hospital from relatives concerning belongings, visiting, etc.

Case papers

These files provide a record of a patient's treatment. They contain such information as admission and discharge details; a medical summary; progress notes; behaviour and treatment records; test results, personal effects lists and correspondence.

Medical case books

Entries in these volumes are arranged chronologically by date of admission. The patient's physical and mental condition before, and at the time of admission, is described and the final entry for each case notes whether the patient was discharged, transferred to another hospital or died. Other details given include: age, weight, social condition, number of children, occupation, nativity, residence, religion, form of mental disorder, supposed cause, duration of attack, previous attacks, date of last admission (if any), treatment and summary of medical certificate. Notes are then made at irregular intervals on a patient's behaviour and condition while he remains in the hospital.

Related records

Colonial Secretary's papers

There are no surviving registers of patients for Castle Hill Lunatic Asylum (1811-1825), however there are numerous references to patients being admitted to the asylum in the Index to Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1825.

There are references in the Colonial Secretary's correspondence to patients being admitted to mental health facilities during the 19th century, after 1825. Documents include warrants of admission. The Colonial Secretary's correspondence can be accessed using the indexes and registers and Joan Reese's Index to Convicts and Others.

Records held elsewhere

A number of State managed mental health facilities have not transferred all their records to NSW State Archives. These facilities include Bloomfield Hospital at Orange, Stockton Hospital at Newcastle and Kenmore Hospital near Goulburn. If the records are found not to be part of the State Archives Collection we will refer you to the appropriate agency to make further enquiries.

Access

Patient-identifying records more than 110 years old are Open to Public Access (OPA). You can access the records in the reading room.

Plans of mental health facilities

See NRS 4335 for plans, elevations, sections and details of public buildings such as police stations, court houses, hospitals, gaols, government offices and schools.