Darwin and Casuarina Hospitals are to operate under one management and to be known as The Darwin Hospitals Group. The first buildings completed on the Casuarina Hospital site were commissioned in April 1978 and the last of approved constructions are due for handover in December 1979. It is proposed to gradually increase the functions of Darwin Hospital in 1979 so that there will be sufficient staff to open 336 Casuarina Hospital beds in January 1980 by relocating most staff. Darwin Hospital will operate in 1980 with 30 authorised beds for psychiatric patients, 30 authorised beds for non-acute geriatric and long stay patients, a pilot patient rehabilitation unit, an out-patients service and staff accommodation.