Dictionary of Sydney

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

Chelmsford Private Hospital

Small private psychiatric hospital that was established in a former house at 2 The Crescent, Pennant Hills, in 1963, where psychiatrist Dr Harry Bailey undertook experimental treatments on patients including deep sleep therapy and electric shock therapy. By 1979 more than 24 people had died. Despite complaints from patients and their families, coronial inquests found Bailey had no case to answer. A Royal Commission into the treatment of the patients at the hospital was established in 1988 and prompted the Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill (1987)which introduced ‘improved disciplinary structures for [the] investigation and hearing of complaints concerning medical practitioners’.

Milestone
Opened
1963
Died
03 May 1967
Died
12 Aug 1977
Name
Alternate
Pennant Hills Community Hospital
1980 -
Position
1963 - 1979
Type