Changing_names.2C_changing_society Kew_Asylum

kew asylum, circa 1885–1887. note brick ha ha walls adjoining front archways, enclosing 1 of female courtyards.

during 120 years of operation, kew s title changed numerous times. has been in response society s changing views towards treatment , care of mentally ill persons; improvements in treatment leading better health outcomes , changes in victorian government s various health acts. establishment until 1905 institution @ kew known asylum – title emphasised function place of detention rather place people possibly cured. kew short period known metropolitan lunatic asylum @ kew, possibly differentiate sister country asylums @ ararat , beechworth. during period, people committed asylum termed inmates rather patients – again emphasising detention rather cure.

the lunacy act of 1903 changed title of victorian asylums hospitals insane act didn’t come operation until march 1905. time onwards, inmates began being referred patients. mental hygiene act of 1933 again altered kew s title kew mental hospital . move asylum hospital , inmate patient reflected increased involvement of medical profession in management , treatment of mental illness.

after world war ii there period of significant change in treatment , prognosis people mental illness. drugs such lithium carbonate (discovered in 1948 australian psychiatrist john cade) , chlorpromazine (discovered in 1950 s) lead improvements in treatment. many people mental illness in many cases treated in hospital shorter period , return community. mental health act of 1959 designated hospitals providing short-term diagnosis , accommodation psychiatric hospitals . therefore, institution have section designated mental hospital long-term or indefinite hospitalisation , section designated psychiatric hospital short term diagnosis , treatment of acute psychiatric illness.

in 1962 decision made no longer house acute or short-term patients @ kew , therefore formally proclaimed mental hospital under mental health act of 1959. until time, kew mental hospital still colloquially known kew asylum . in 1960s kew began known willsmere , authors state name change willsmere later.

in january 1982 3 wards of kew mental hospital proclaimed psychiatric hospital under provisions of mental health act 1959. these wards known willsmere unit , established receive , accommodate short-term acute patients.