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The Queen Mary Reserve Trust |
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This one of two recently donated chapel windows exemplifies the inspiration promoted by the natural surroundings of the Hospital |
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History |
HISTORY OF QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL AND SITE
1897 The Government built a Sanatorium near to the hot springs to house invalids who were taking the waters. This was basically a lodging house only, although a Doctor (Dr C Little) had been appointed to the Hanmer Thermal Sanatorium (the pools surrounded by tents!) in 1895.
1908 A proper Sanatorium accommodating 18 patients was established with nursing staff, and in 1909 a Resident Medical Officer was appointed.
1914 The Sanatorium burnt down a day after the outbreak of war
1916 A Defence Department Hospital opened to treat returned soldiers and proved “particularly suitable for shell shock and neuraesthenic cases”. This is the current “Soldiers Block”.
1921 Hospital handed over to the Department of Health. Patients treated in the 20s and 30s were suffering from hypertension and anxiety states mostly, with a few rheumatic disorders. Dr Chisholm was Superintendent for 23 years.
1926 A separate women’s block was opened (Chisholm Ward).
1940 A new men’s block opened (Rutherford Ward).
1943 Queen Mary Hospital became re-orientated to “functional nervous disease”. In the years that followed, it became apparent that many of these people were addicted to alcohol, and in the late 60s under Drs Tom Harrison and Tom Maling it developed a programme for alcoholics only.
1976 Dr Robert Crawford became Superintendent, and developed the programme over the next 15 years to include drug addicts and co-dependent family members.
1990 Taha Maori programme was introduced, running alongside the main programme for pakeha.
1991 Health Service changes started to bite, and Dr Crawford resigned. Programme thereafter directed by Commander Jere Bunn, but staff and patient numbers started to dwindle because of insufficient funding.
1997 Mr John Beattie and Mr Rob Fenwick took a lease on the Hospital and continued to run the treatment programme. Hanmer Clinics (outpatient facilities) were established in the main cities over the next few years. The in-patient programme continued to dwindle.
C1998 A Youth Programme started in conjunction with the main programme.
2001 The Youth Programme became separate from the main programme at the request of CYPS.
2002 The Youth Programme was withdrawn due to insufficient funding to provide the staff required for safety.
2003 The Taha Maori Programme was withdrawn due to insufficient funding.
2003 August. The Canterbury District Health Board gave notice that it wished to sell the property
2003 November. Hanmer Clinics closed the Hospital programme due to insufficient funding. Hanmer Clinics in liquidation. Queen Mary Hospital Ltd still holding the lease.
2003 December First auction sale of plant and chattels held in Rutherford Ward.
2004 January Second Auction finishing the sale from Chisholm Ward, the Nurses’ Home and Plant Workshops.
2004 February Hurunui District Council agree to set aside money to buy part of the site, and enter into informal discussion with Ngai Tahu.
2004 March Petition asking that the land remain in public hands presented to Parliament.
2004 April Submission to the Petition presented to the Select Committee on Health.
2004 June The CDHB gave the Spiritual Garden Sculptures back to the original artists, having previousl said they should remain in the community.
2004 July The Minister of Health gave her approval to the sale of the site, rendering the Petition null and void.
2008 October Concluding extensive discussions over many years, Hurunui District Council and the New Zealand Government reached an agreement that secured the future of a substantial 6 hectares of the old Queen Mary Hospital in Hanmer Springs in public ownership for present and future generations of New Zealanders.
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Foundation Stone |
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Building |
