rutherford ward

The grounds of the old Queen Mary Hospital are now a reserve with access for anyone to walk through. It was originally a sanitorium for treating WW1 soldiers suffering from shell shock and other injuries, and was an ideal location because of the therapeutic benefits of the thermal waters nearby. It then became popular for treating people with joint disorders, hypertension, anxiety, and nervous disorders, and in latter years was a renowned hospital for treating alcoholism and drug dependency.

However it was closed in 2003 and was given to the Dept of Conservation in 2008. Part of the old hospital ground was then given to the Hurunui District for recreational use, and the rest is still owned by the Crown. A small part of the grounds were used to expand the Thermal pools, but it is a shame that there is no sign of development in the heritage buildings or the land as it is a beautiful area with huge specimen trees, but is all starting to look very neglected

The main buildings are the Old Soldiers, Chisholm ward, and the nurses hostel, which all have heritage status because of their significant style or historical use. The Rutherford ward is further through the grounds and I think it is an attractive building, but it has become very derelict and gets no attention as it is not a protected building.