Auckland's first hospital was built in 1847. It and Wellington Hospital were the first public hospitals in New Zealand. They treated both European and Māori patients, the latter for free. Governor George Grey believed that offering free hospital care to Māori would help assimilate them into European society. The Auckland building had four large wards that could accommodate 8 to 10 patients, two smaller wards with five beds, and a room with one bed. Other facilities included a surgery, a kitchen, a loft and two apartments for staff.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Auckland Council Libraries − Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau, Sir George Grey Special Collections
Reference: 4-305
by James D. Richardson
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