 Porirua Lunatic Asylum, as it was originally named, was opened in the following year and Dr. Thomas Radford King was appointed as its medical superintendent, though in less than a year, he was replaced by Dr. Gray Hassell.By 1905, Porirua Hospital had 700 beds.In the early 1900s, the facility had 2000 staff and patients, affording a major effect on the Wellington Region's development.