 The proposed lazaret was intended to include a laboratory with offices and wards, quarters for four sisters of a religious sisterhood, a European wardsman and Palm Island staff, plus huts for 100 patients, with kitchen, store and dining buildings and lavatories.By 21 September 1939 twelve huts were erected, with six already occupied by Hansen's disease patients from North Queensland.In December 1939 the laboratory was completed, but the hospital ward building was not.