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Published on: November 19, 2012
Dr Digby Moynagh (1911-1963) and the Graylands Day Hospital, 1959-1965
1Clinical Research Centre, NMHS MH, WA, Australia, and; Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Mount Claremont, WA, Australia.
Objective:
To describe the establishment of Australia's first psychiatric day hospital in Western Australia in April 1959 by Dr Digby Moynagh (1911-1963).
Methods:
A range of primary and secondary sources were consulted.
Results:
Moynagh was able to establish the Graylands Day Hospital because he had an outsider's perspective, and was familiar with the day hospital model from UK psychiatric literature. However, he was opposed by local medical and political interests, which eventually led to his departure from the State.
Conclusions:
The Graylands Day Hospital and Digby Moynagh both contributed towards the process of psychiatric deinstitutionalisation in Australia.
