Construction commenced in late 1881 with funds provided to the Public Works Department by the colonial administration. The hospital was built in stages. The central pavilion was completed in 1881. The hospital was almost complete in 1884, and was occupied in 1885. It was described as a “timber architectural masterpiece”.[2] The building was later declared unfit to work and left abandoned. It slowly collapsed due to vandalism and deterioration.[2] Old location: 6°14′28″N57°31′18″W / 6.2412°N 57.5217°W / 6.2412; -57.5217
In 1893, the hospital had 150 beds, four sick wards (one designated for females) each with 24 beds with a window between each bed.[3]