it was opened on 22 september 1954 by the minister for health, emil nulsen, as a 25-bed maternity hospital. a hospital in the midland area had previously been requested in the 1930s. the hospital expanded with the addition of a 40-bed general wing that opened 18 october 1963. a second general wing, that also included new x-ray facilities and a nursing aide training school, opened on 20 august 1971. the swan valley centre, a 25-bed mental health unit, opened in early 2001.