Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital: A Social Institution in Australian Healthcare

Running head: AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY, SYSTEM AND POLICIES
Australian Society, System and Policies
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1AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY, SYSTEM AND POLICIES
Introduction
Social institutions refers to the framework of the groups of people, who come together to
serve a common purpose to have the rights, privileges, benefits, goals, liabilities, or specific
objectives, which are different from those of the individual members of the society (LaFree,
2018). Social relationships are the foundations of these institutions and these are formed to meet
the basic needs of the society, such as, the law and order, economic and financial stability. Every
social institution is based on certain set of rules, frameworks, and traditions. Healthcare or
medicine is one such social institution, which focuses on improving the health and life of the
entire society so that it can achieve the best productivity as well as well being. As stated by
Naude (2014), the hospitals are social institutions and those contribute to the community, to
public welfare, and to the advancement of the civilization. Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye
Hospital is the oldest hospital in Australia and is a major social institution in the healthcare in the
country. The research report will highlight the framework of the Sydney hospital, the theoretical
underpinnings of the social institution and its impact on the Australian society.
Framework of Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital
Social institutions in the healthcare or medicine are those that specialize in monitoring
the public health, providing health maintenance to the community and treating mental and
physical illness and injury. The goal or objective of the medical institutions of a society is to
promote the health and total well being of the people and nature of the health and medicine is
culturally determined in a society. Going with this objective and principle, Sydney/Sydney Eye
Hospital was established in 1788, when the First Fleet arrived in the country. This historical
social institution was located in the Macquarie Street since 1816 and has been dedicated to
provide nursing and medical treatment to the community. This institution became a teaching

2AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY, SYSTEM AND POLICIES
hospital under the affiliation of University of Sydney and University of New South Wales. This
is also associated with Sydney Medical School through the Discipline of Clinical Ophthalmology
and Eye Health and The Save Sight Institute (Seslhd.health.nsw.gov.au., 2018).
Characteristics of this hospital as a social institution are to provide attention to the overall
health of the people, with a special emphasis on the eye care, by offering the best medical
facilities. As a public institution, the hospital contributes in the community life, to the public
welfare and it is civilization. The functions are organized accordingly so that these needs are
fulfilled. The aim of this hospital is to keep the people in good health and fitness to deal with
work and problems of life (Nicholson, 2011). While caring for the sick, the hospital also serves
the community by providing employment to a large number of people. The economy also gets
benefitted as monetary transactions take place for the supplies and equipment. Hence, general
welfare of not only the individuals, but also of the community is promoted. As a part of the
society, Sydney hospital not only spends a good amount of money for training of the doctors,
nurses, health workers and technicians, but also works as a teaching hospital where medical
students get education. It contributes towards medical education in the society. During any
emergency, natural calamity or epidemic, the hospital provides services to the sick and suffering,
regardless of the nationality or race. Thereby, the hospital dedicates its service to ensure that the
country gets healthier generations of people who can contribute in the progress of the nation.
Theoretical underpinnings
The theories on social institutions highlight the functions of the hospitals. According to
Dunbar (2011), the hospitals are sociologically making contributions in advancement of the
civilizations. Through the inventive art, the instruments and the machines are being developed