Cover image for Medical Department
Agency:
Medical Department
Agency Number:
Start Date:
12 Sep 1803
End Date:
06 Jan 1904
Description:
No such Department, in the modern sense, ever existed. The term was frequently used, however, and is a convenient way to describe the civil functions of the imperial medical staff. Initially all medical services in the colony were provided by staff surgeons. By the 1830s private practices were well established and the "Medical Department" staffed the colonial hospitals, treating officials, convicts and paupers, and acted as police surgeons. A Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals and a staff of Colonial Surgeons and Assistant Colonial Surgeons were variously located on the military or convict establishment for annual statistical purposes. The Deputy Inspector-General also appeared on the civil establishment as the Principal Medical Officer of the colony. During the 1860s the colonial hospitals were transferred to local control and after 1870 the term "Medical Department" was loosely applied to the medical staff and establishments under the control of the Colonial (later Chief) Secretary. On at least 2 occasions a Vaccination Department is listed within his portfolio but this appears to be a response to issues of the day rather than a reorganisation of the fledgling health bureaucracy. Health matters were gradually removed from the direct control of the Chief Secretary. A Board was established in 1886 to deal with public health issues. It was replaced by a formal Department in 1904 which assumed most of the medical respoinsibilities still held by the Chief Secretary. (One hospital was retained within his immediate portfolio as part of the welfare administration.) The attached chart shows the evolution of the agencies responsible for community and health services in Tasmania.~
Legislation Administered:
Anatomy Act 1869~Contagious Diseases Acts 1879, 1881 & 1882~Quarantine Acts 1841 & 1842 [Repealed 1881]~Quarantine Act 1881
Legislation Creating:
Administrative actions.
Functions Performed:
Health care
Controlling Agencies:
Lieutenant-Governor's Office (TA863)16 Feb 180403 Dec 1825

Governor's Office (TA315)01 Jan 1825
Convict Department (TA60)01 Jan 181831 Dec 1877

Central Board of Health (TA748)01 Jan 188606 Jan 1904
Subsequent Agencies:
Department of Public Health (TA19)06 Jan 190401 Aug 1956

Central Board of Health (TA748)01 Jan 188606 Jan 1904
Series Created By Agency:
HSD195 Day Book of James Scott01 Nov 182816 Jun 1831