Coledale Hospital is 100 years old this week!
Staff, friends, family and the local community are celebrating this amazing milestone with a function being held tonight. 
According to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, the idea of the hospital came about in 1910 when the local mining community wanted access to medical care that was close to where they worked and lived.
Following seven years of planning, fundraising, construction and fit out, the facility was officially opened 100 years ago, on March 17, 1917 as Illawarra Cottage Hospital. It had 15 beds and 4 cots.
Director of nursing Anne Gilholme says the community has always proudly supported Coledale Hospital. “Historic records show employees of the surrounding mines contributed a day’s pay to help fund the building,” she says. “Over the years, the local area, transport and public health services have all evolved,” she says,” and so too has our hospital, which now provides specialist care as part of the Local Health District network.”
Today, Coledale Hospital provides inpatient and community-based health services specialising in rehabilitation and aged-care services. The purpose-built 18-bed aged care unit accommodates patients with dementia and awaiting nursing home placement. The 20-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit provides multidisciplinary care to patients recovering from a range of illnesses and injuries.
