Brislington

Medical & Nursing Museum

Collections ...

The Collections.


Artefacts of the Parramatta Hospital wards show equipment in ceramic, enamel, metal and plastic. There are examples of operating tables, instruments, suturing materials, anaesthetic equipment and ward beds.

Photographs from 1890s to 1970s provide insight into nursing responsibilities, members of Boards and Committees as well as showing the changing styles of uniforms.



Colonial Room - historical photographic displays, early colonial medical equipment and the original Parramatta Hospital Boardroom table. The story of John Hodges, the ex-convict who built the house is outlined.







The Brown Room - pays tribute to doctors who served the Parramatta Hospitals from Colonial days to the 1980s. Equipment used by the three generations of the Brown Family, a 1915 Sydney University Graduation Gown, photographic displays and a doctor's medical bag and instruments are on display.











The Ward - a hospital ward displaying trends in nursing procedures and ward equipment used since the 1940s when antibiotics were introduced. Obstetrics equipment is highlighted.










The Nurses’ Room - photographs and memorabilia of Doctors, Matrons and Nurses dating back to the 1880s, dolls dressed in changing styles of uniforms , newspaper scrapbooks related to medical care in Parramatta, instruments  used for common procedures, Granville Train disaster display. WW1 nurses tribute.










The Operating Theatre - surgical and nursing equipment, including operating tables and anaesthetic equipment, used since the eighteenth century.












World War One Nurses - a small display highlighting the contribution nurses had in the Great War. The display centres around five nurses from Parramatta District Hospital who enlisted and served in various theatres of the War. The display also has information about nurses uniforms, hospital ships, casualty clearing stations, medal and awards.