QE Health

History

QE Health began as the Services Convalescent Hospital established in 1942

The New Zealand Government commissioned the Public Works Department to construct a temporary building as a convalescent depot for the repatriation of returning members of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force

The chosen site north facing on the shores of Lake Rotorua was deemed especially suitable with clean bracing air and proximity to water and other leisure and recreational activities necessary for successful rehabilitation

Dr Wilfred Stanley Wallis Medical Superintendent Dr Reeve his deputy and Matron Watt headed a staff of medical personnel physiotherapists and occupational therapists whose aim was not only to heal but to assist servicemen to be gradually eased into civilian life

The local Rotorua community as well was largely involved in the welfare of the patients Hospitality was spontaneous and generous

By mid 1948 the hospital ceased to function as one solely for servicemen Patients from Rotorua Sanatorium were transferred and the hospital now treated patients suffering from arthritis and rheumatism and allied complaints

Through Sir Bernard Freyberg Governor General a request was made to Buckingham Palace resulting in Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother graciously consenting to the hospital being named Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Dr Wallis continued as Medical Superintendent until his retirement in 1957

In the 1960s spa treatment was brought over to a new wing at QE Health when the Rotorua Bathhouse now known as the Tudor Towers closed

After 20 years of Government administration Queen Elizabeth Hospital was officially handed over to the Waikato Hospital Board in October 1968

Over recent years the New Zealand public health system has undergone many structural changes and QE Healths vulnerability has often been tested The sudden death of Medical Superintendent Dr Irwin Isdale overseas in 1982 was one such period when for a time the hospitals future was seriously threatened

But for the vigilance and ultimate actions of staff patients past and present and concerned organisations it is doubtful whether the hospital would have continued Considerable pressure in support of the hospital was exerted upon the Waikato Hospital Board

In 1983 Dr Kevin Greene Medical Superintendent at Rotorua Hospital was appointed to the similar position at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Dr Jeremy Jones from United Kingdom arrived in 1984 to fill the position of Medical Director

Queen Elizabeth Hospital passed into private hands in 1993 and continues to provide specialised rheumatology multidisciplinary musculoskeletal rehabilitation and arthritis surgery

Overseas visitors attend regularly to undergo a regime of thermal treatments therapies and exercise in short they came to quottake the watersquot so popular through the centuries in the European countries from where many of these people originate

In 1993 a private interest Health Group and Queen Elizabeth Community Trust combined to form QE Hospital Ltd a private company

March 2003 saw the unveiling of a commemorative glass window funded by the Patients Association This was a Turn of the Century gift to QE Health to celebrate 60 years 19422002 of healing and caring This is hanging in the main entrance

July 2003 celebrations were held to mark the tenth anniversary of the private company and a name change to QE Health

The name change represented QEs focus away from illness and more towards wellness

Since December 2005 Queen Elizabeth Hospital Community Trust became the sole shareholder of QE Health The Directors of the company are appointed by the Trust