A Short History Of Murchison Hospital

Murchison hospital is situated approximately 13 kilometers from Port Shepstone on the deep South Coast of Natal.

In the early days of 1928, Dr Barton used to ride out on horse-back to attend his patients in their mud huts. However, many came to see him in his own mud hut, and this was the start of what became known as “KwaBathini” – The Place of Barton. He was eventually granted land by the Chief, and in 1928 erected a wood and corrugated iron building, which housed 6 beds on the site of the present hospital. This was the beginning of Murchison Hospital.

In 1929 he was joined by Miss Euphemia Dunbar, a trained nurse, and in 1930, she built a Nursing Home on a hill nearby. She called it Pumulani – the Place of Rest and as the work increased it became a home for missionary nurses.

In 1932 Miss Rendell arrived, and she was followed in 1935 by Miss Margaret Mckelvie, who later became the first Matron.

By 1943 the need for a more permanent structure was obvious, and a larger hospital was built with 24 beds, the opening ceremony being performed by Mr D. Mitchell. M.P.C.

Further developments soon followed. In 1949 Dr John Fisher joined the staff, and then Dr H. Exner.
In those early days, the staff was composed of 2 doctors, 2 missionary sisters, 6 African nurses,
and a number of domestics.

As the hospital’s reputation grew, overcrowding became a real problem. As a result, by 1955, the 24-bed hospital, using a small extension at the back was housing up to 120 patients, of which 70 had TB. There were also weekly clinics in a nearby village.

In 1957, a grant was obtained from the Union Health Department for the erection of a TB block, and
the new building was opened by Dr A.L. Ferguson, the chief Regional Director for Health, Natal.

In 1961 the Nurses’ Home extension was built, and in 1964 a new Maternity block designed to cater for 360 deliveries per year. Other developments were:

1968 – the new OPD

1975 – the staff flats at Nylon

1976 – the kitchen and workshop complex

1978 – the hospital was taken over by the Government

In 1978 the hospital was taken over by the State Department of Health and ceased to be a Mission Hospital. However, the vision and values which established the hospital remained and are still evident today.

With Dr Gilpin at the helm as Medical Superintendent from 1971 to October 2002, the hospital continued to grow and provide the local community of ±250 000, with medical care. A new theatre, paediatric ward, laundry and maternity are all part of the development package which is placing the hospital firmly on the map.

In November 2002 the hospital was assessed by COHSASA against a set of international standards, and won the distinction of being the first KZN hospital to achieve accreditation on its first attempt.