End of an era as last patients seen at The Princess Margaret Hospital

After 65 years, today marks the end of an era for The Princess Margaret Hospital (TPMH), as the final patients are seen at the site.

Opened in 1959, the building remains a dominant structure at the foot of the Port Hills in Cashmere, sitting amongst parklike grounds.

Originally a general hospital, over the years TPMH has been used in many ways, including most recently for Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation and specialist mental health services, it also hosted a COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinic.

Back in the 1960s TPMH's physiotherapy unit was a hive of activity, with a respiratory unit, a postural drainage room and mini spa baths to help ease pain. There was also an ultraviolet room for skin conditions, and a warm paraffin wax tub – which arthritis patients would dip their hands in to ease the pain.

It was once thought TPMH would become Christchurch’s main hospital, but it was too far from the city centre.

However, on 22 February 2011, TPMH’s location made it a crucial lifeline as old wards were reopened to receive patients from Christchurch Hospital and one segment of the hospital was turned into an emergency operations centre.

Casualties unable to make it across town to Christchurch Hospital due to overwhelmed emergency services and badly damaged roads went to TPMH and patients evacuated from the badly damaged Riverside block were taken there by furniture trucks.

Becky Hickmott, Executive Director of Nursing says: “While TPMH holds many special memories for our staff and our community, the complexity of redeveloping the facility for contemporary healthcare needs meant we needed a new vision. Today we see the culmination of many years of hard work by many people in our teams to see our patients receiving care in modern, fit for purpose settings.

“We are so grateful for the years of service our teams have provided to our patients and our community in this beautiful setting during its lifespan of care.”

On Monday, the last Child, Adolescent and Family (CAF) Outpatient team moves to Kahurangi, meaning “blue skies”, the new state of the art outpatient mental health facility for young people in Christchurch located on the Hillmorton Campus.

CAF Service Manager Deborah Selwood says it is the end of an era.

“This was a very busy hospital site through the years, but we needed to move on to contemporary surroundings. The results of moving to Kahurangi are going to be extraordinary.

“It’s a great end to 2024 and flourishing new beginnings for 2025.”

The final remaining Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation Community Services teams plan to move to Burwood Hospital next year following refurbishment of some workspace facilities on that campus. These are teams that work in the community and therefore do not see patients on site.

No decisions have been made about the future of the TPMH site.