Christchurch Hospitals

There are a number of Christchurch Hospitals, be it Private hospitals, Maternity hospitals or Psychiatric hospitals. Of these, Christchurch Hospital is the largest tertiary, teaching and research hospital in the South Island that provides a full range of emergency, acute, elective and outpatient services. The doctors and specialists of Christchurch Hospitals also travel to major centres in the South Island providing specialist clinics and operations. The other sites of New Zealand are linked to the Christchurch Hospitals through telemedicine. This facility makes it easier for the outstation patients to receive treatment.

Each year more than more than 35,600 inpatients are treated at the Christchurch Hospital. Approximately two-thirds of these patients are admitted acutely. A further 13,000 people are day patients. The number of people waiting for surgery has fallen rapidly in recent years due to a significant increase in the number of surgical patients being treated. There are 16,000 theatre visits each year.

There are 600-650 beds in Christchurch Hospital, most of which remains occupied during winter when the hospital maintains an active liaison with the rehabilitation hospitals (Burwood and Princess Margaret) to ensure that patients are appropriately placed for acute and sub-acute care.

According to a rough estimate there are over 197,000 outpatient attendances at the hospital, excluding those for radiology and laboratory services. Add to that the staggering figure of treating more than 65,000 patients a year, making Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department, the busiest in Australasia.

Most of the doctors and specialists of Christchurch Hospital are involved in leading international research that would benefit the medicine world by embarking on newer and more effective methods of treatment. Often, they are engaged in joint projects with medical research scientists at the Christchurch School of Medicine, part of the University of Otago.

With its experienced doctors and surgeons, Christchurch Hospital plays an excellent role as one of the four main teaching hospitals in New Zealand.