It was established privately in Gilbert Street, Latrobe as a cottage hospital to serve the community on 26 January 1889. Prior to this Rev Claude Roberts had formed a Committee in April 1885 to help establish this facility. With room initially for only eight patients, The Rev Roberts was the honorary manager until his death in 1895. Due to size constraints the hospital relocated in 1903 to larger facilities.;;;;The Devon became a public hospital on 24 July 1925 when it came under the control of the Devon Public Hospitals District Board serving the Devonport, Kentish and Latrobe municipalities.;;;;