VPRS 18109 Patient Case History Files (Psychiatric Hospital)

This series comprises of case histories of patients admitted to the Ballarat Psychiatric Hospital (VA 2844). Each patient admitted was required by legislation to have a file created which documents their case history from time of admission to discharge or death. All files in this series include personal details of the patients and depending on circumstances can include superintendent's examinations, special investigations, physical examinations, psychiatric history, psychiatric examinations, nursing notes and special treatment. According to the Mental Health Regulations 1962, case records were to be entered: A) on admission of the patient B) at least once weekly for the first four weeks C) at least monthly for the following two months; and D) at six monthly intervals thereafter. This series was created in the period 1962 to 1969 during which Ballarat Psychiatric Hospital operated, so the file content is consistent. The Mental Health Regulations 1962 made provision for colour coded sheets to be used within the files for specific purposes including, but are not limited to providing personal details, examinations, psychiatric history, treatment sheet and nursing notes. Other information contained within the files can include: admission form, discharge summary, Coroner's reports, medical consents, pathology results, as well as correspondence from and to individuals and organisations. Files relating to patients who have died may include autopsy reports, correspondence and statements relating to the patient's death. In some cases, particularly when a patient had earlier admissions or admissions to other institutions, files or papers associated with those admissions will be included in files in this series. Similarly, administrative activity, such as requests for information in files that post date the closure of these files, may be documented in these files. The contents data range may thus be greater than the period in which the series itself was created. Original order as outlined in a note by DHHS transferring archivist, c. 1994 Ballarat Psychiatric Hospital Patient Files were accessioned during the Lakeside Records Disposal Project [c.1994]. They were located in the male quarters building (upper floor) whereby patient files were divided between deaths and discharges with both groups held in separate rooms. Files in date of death order were physically separated for each year whereas files in date of discharge order were grouped according to decade only. In terms of Psychiatric Hospital Files, all discharges were stored in one location designated 1960's. The Project, therefore, arranged files in alphabetical order within each year to assist retrieval. Arrangement was hampered as a result of patient files from Ballarat Mental Hospital, Novar, Norwood and relevant Out Patient Clinics being grouped together. In order to respect provenance, the Project team separated files accordingly. Previous Series: VPRS 18110 Clinical Notes and Patient Files - Receiving House