the hospital was named the king edward memorial hospital for women as a lasting memorial to king edward vii, who died in 1910. the hospital commenced operating on 14 july 1916. 101 babies were born in the first 6 months of operation. at the time, the hospital charged a standard fee of £3 3s for 'confinement' and fourteen days of post-natal care. agnes marion walsh was head matron from 1922 until 1954 and oversaw the birth of more than 60,000 babies.