Christchurch Hospital facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christchurch Hospital |
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| Canterbury District Health Board | |
Aerial view of Christchurch Hospital
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 Location in Christchurch, New Zealand
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| Geography | |
| Location | Riccarton Avenue, Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 43°32′04″S 172°37′32″E / 43.5344°S 172.6255°E |
| Organisation | |
| Funding | Government (District Health Board) |
| Hospital type | General |
| Affiliated university | University of Otago Christchurch School of Medicine |
| Services | |
| Emergency department | Yes |
| Helipad | (ICAO: NZJC) |
| Beds | 836 |
| History | |
| Founded | 1 June 1862 |
Christchurch Hospital is the biggest hospital in the South Island of New Zealand. It's a public hospital located right in the middle of Christchurch city, next to Hagley Park. This hospital helps people from all over the wider Canterbury region. The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) runs the hospital, and the government provides the money for it.
Christchurch Hospital is the main place for serious injuries (a "major trauma centre") for northern and central Canterbury. It's also the top trauma centre for the wider Canterbury and West Coast areas. Its Emergency Department (ED) is the busiest in the South Island. It treats more major injuries than any other hospital in New Zealand.
The Christchurch School of Medicine is right on the hospital campus. This school teaches medical students in their fourth, fifth, and sixth years. It's part of the University of Otago.
A new building called 'Waipapa' opened in 2020. It sits behind the older hospital buildings. Waipapa is where the hospital's urgent care services are now located. This includes the Emergency Department. The hospital's helipad (where helicopters land) is now on top of the Waipapa building. This new helipad replaced the old one in Hagley Park.
History of Christchurch Hospital
The government decided to build a hospital in Christchurch in 1861. They approved £1,500 for its construction. The first building was a two-story structure. It was located in Hagley Park at Riccarton Avenue. It opened on June 1, 1862. Some citizens protested its location in the park. The last of these original buildings were taken down in 1917.
In 2009, the CDHB announced plans for a big upgrade. They proposed a NZ$400 million project. This included a new 450-bed hospital. It would also have a rooftop helipad and more operating rooms. Construction was planned to start in 2011. It was expected to take three years to finish.
After the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, the plans changed. Over the next five years, Christchurch Hospital had a huge redevelopment. This project cost $650 million. It was the biggest investment ever in public health facilities in New Zealand. The new Acute Services Building at Christchurch Hospital is now called Waipapa.
The Waipapa building has many modern features:
- It has a total area of 62,000 square meters.
- There are 13 lifts inside the building.
- It was built with 6,000 tonnes of steel. It also used over 100,000 bolts.
- The building has lots of natural light.
- It has strong earthquake protection. This includes special braces and joints.
- Tower A (Levels 3-9) holds wards for general surgery and children's care. It also has the helipad.
- Tower B (Levels 3-8) has wards for brain and nerve care. It also has children's surgery and cancer support.
- Level 2 is for sterile services and offices.
- Level 1 has the Intensive Care Unit, operating theatres, and X-ray services.
- The Ground Floor has the Emergency Department and urgent care.
- The Lower Ground Floor has meeting rooms and staff changing rooms.
The hospital played a very important role after the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake. It treated 164 people with serious injuries. One ward also had to be evacuated.
The hospital also helped many people after the Christchurch mosque shootings. It admitted 49 people who were injured. The hospital staff worked hard to care for everyone.
Notable people
- Courtney Nedwill (1837–1920), a public health officer who worked at the hospital for 30 years.
- Catherine Stedman, a professor of medicine.
See also
In Spanish: Hospital de Christchurch para niños
