In the early 1900s, the sight of a nurse seated on the back of a horse-drawn ambulance at the Coast Hospital in Sydney was a testament to the grit and determination of medical professionals in a time of limited technology. The clatter of horses’ hooves echoed through the hospital grounds as the ambulance made its way to the hospital, a stark contrast to the modern, motorized vehicles we see today.
This nurse, with her crisp white uniform and steadfast demeanor, embodied the spirit of an era when healthcare was as much about dedication as it was about skill. The Coast Hospital, which would later become the Prince of Wales Hospital, was a beacon of hope for the sick and injured.
Here, patients were transported not by the hum of an engine, but by the steady trot of a horse, each journey a reminder of the lengths to which medical staff would go to provide care.
As the ambulance pulled up to the hospital entrance, the nurse prepared to assist the patient, her calm presence a source of comfort in a time of uncertainty. This scene, simple yet profound, highlights a chapter in Sydney’s healthcare history when even the most basic of resources were used with utmost care and compassion. In the face of adversity, these early healthcare workers forged a path that would lead to the advanced medical services we rely on today.
(Photos by © Museums of History NSW – State Archives Collection)
