Princess Margaret Hospital, Christchurch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Princess Margaret Hospital |
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A view of the hospital
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| Geography | |
| Location | Christchurch, Canterbury Region, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 43°34′16″S 172°37′12″E / 43.571°S 172.62°E |
| Organisation | |
| Care system | Health NZ |
| Funding | Government hospital |
| Hospital type | General |
| Services | |
| Emergency department | No |
| History | |
| Founded | 31 August 1959 |
| Closed | 9 December 2024 |
Princess Margaret Hospital was a public hospital located in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was a place where people went for medical care. The hospital first opened its doors in 1959. It provided healthcare services for many years before it closed in 2024.
History of the Hospital
Princess Margaret Hospital was built at the bottom of the Port Hills. This area is on the western side of the Cashmere suburb. The hospital was named after Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. She was the sister of Queen Elizabeth II.
The land for the hospital was bought from the Cracroft Wilson family. The buildings were designed by Seward and Stanton, an architectural company in Christchurch. Charles Luney was the person in charge of building the hospital. The Governor-General of New Zealand at the time, Charles Lyttelton, 10th Viscount Cobham, officially opened the hospital.
At first, some people thought this hospital might become the main one for Christchurch. However, it was decided that it was too far from the city center. A part of the hospital called the SEGAR block opened on August 31, 1959. It started as a general hospital, helping people with many different health issues.
Later, the hospital mainly focused on healthcare for older people. It also provided important mental health services. Many of the offices for the Canterbury District Health Board were also located here.
Special Services Offered
Princess Margaret Hospital had a special service for people with eating disorders. This service was called the South Island Eating Disorders Service. It was the only place in New Zealand with a special unit where patients could stay. These programs helped people get better from eating disorders.
The hospital also had an in-patient service for mothers and their babies. This meant mothers and their newborns could stay at the hospital to receive care.
