Media release from Canterbury DHB

The celebrations are set to begin from tomorrow (June 1) to mark the 150th anniversary of Christchurch Hospital and extend to July 16, which is the 100th anniversary of Canterbury Health Laboratories.  

David Meates, CDHB chief executive, says Canterbury has a remarkable health system, which has served the region through some extraordinary and challenging times.

"This anniversary recognises the significant role our health system has had on the lives of the Canterbury population - from birth to death," Mr Meates says.

"Most people in Canterbury will have had some experience with our services either directly, or indirectly, during some point of their lives and why it's important to celebrate the Centuries of Care Christchurch Hospital and Canterbury Health Laboratories (CHL) has provided."

Canterbury has one of the best health systems in the world and it's built on a commitment to excellence that's filtered through the decades, Mr Meates says.

Bruce Matheson, CDHB chairman, says Christchurch Hospital has changed a lot over the last 150 years from its humble beginning as a wooden building in a 'tudor gothic' style in the 1860s to the current buildings occupying the central city location on Rolleston Ave today.

"As our population has grown and changed over the years so has the shape of Christchurch Hospital. It was entirely rebuilt in the last quarter of the 20th century and has continued to evolve with the addition of Christchurch Women's Hospital, which opened in 2005. 

"Today it continues to face significant changes and challenges. Many parts of the Christchurch Hospital campus have been affected by the Canterbury earthquakes, with many millions of dollars worth of repairs and seismic upgrades needed, causing disruption to both staff, patients and visitors."

"However, our staff and the people of Canterbury have been incredibly accommodating and understanding of the ongoing work that needs to be done to ensure the safe delivery of our services."

A series of events has been organised for Christchurch Hospital celebrations during the month of June, finishing with a special anniversary dinner on June 29.

Christchurch Hospital opened June 1, 1862 and official celebrations will kick off at 1.30pm this Friday with an official opening of an historic display at 278 Antigua Street, which will be open to the public from Saturday June 2 until Saturday July 21.

The opening will be followed with a planting of a native tree and unveiling of a plaque in the Nurses' Memorial Chapel Garden next to Christchurch Hospital and cake cutting at the Great Escape Café at Christchurch Hospital for all current and former staff.

On Sunday, June 10, at 3pm there will be a special Ecumenical Church Service at St Michael's Church in Oxford Terrace.

ENDS

For media enquiries or if any media are interested in attending the events, contact Amy Milne, Canterbury District Health Board Media Advisor, 027 502 7523, (03) 364 4122, amy.milne@cdhb.health.nz