Alwyn Rehabilitation Hospital
About Us
A cheerful, caring environment
Alwyn's History
In the mid 50's Alice Donnelly RN was working at Highbury, a local Surgical hospital, when she was prompted by Doctors to start her own hospital providing her high standards of nursing care for their patients with medical conditions, and for patients requiring convalescence following a surgical procedure. Initially her sister Winifred partnered her in this venture, and facing the dilemma of naming their new hospital, which opened in 1959, they finally agreed on combining their names, Alice and Winifred, which became, with a little poetic licence, Alwyn.
When Alice became ill in 1970, she was succeeded by her son Walter, who took over the management of the hospital. At that time there were six other hospitals within the municipalities of Strathfield and Burwood providing similar services, and the management at Alwyn sharpened their focus, moving into the field of Rehabilitation.
Bringing Rehabilitation to Sydney
The concept and role of rehabilitation was new to Australia, and Alwyn was one of the first Private Hospitals to provide this service in Sydney. Initially the team at Alwyn worked hand in hand with the since defunct rehabilitation service provided by Western Suburbs Hospital, but by 1984 they had employed their own Physiotherapist and Occupational therapist, and although Rehabilitation still remained unrecognised by many, including the Health funds, management persevered refining their systems and building their team.
With only 26 beds the hospital has been regarded as tiny, but this perceived weakness is our strength. As a small hospital with a warm caring, family like environment for patients and team members, enabling all members of the team to work closely together.
A New Wing
Walter Donnelly, a crusader for the provision of excellence in rehabilitation retired as CEO of Alwyn in 2001. Then following a short illness he passed away in March 2003. At Alwyn we are proud that our hospital remains a family owned business and we are able to pursue Mr. Donnelly's dream and continue this philosophy for Alwyn into the future. Management's commitment is evidenced by the on-going capital expenditure aimed at improving the comfort and well being of our patients. A new wing was completed in November 2001.
Commitment
The quality of care is demonstrated by the high level of patient and doctor satisfaction and continuous accreditation with the Australian Council of Health Care Standards since 1989. This commitment is reinforced by a supportive close-knit group of professional staff that have seen Alwyn at the forefront of many developments in the provision of Rehabilitation Services. They remain dedicated to providing the best service possible to those who trust themselves to our care.