Braemar hospital turns 85

Patients and staff with early memories of Braemar Hospital are being asked to share their experiences for the institution's 85th birthday.

The original hospital was established on the inner city Tainui St in 1924.

The hospital started as "Tirohia" maternity hospital and was converted to a medical and surgical hospital by Sister Frances Young after she bought the property in 1926 and changed the name to Braemar.

She later bought the adjoining section and built a maternity hospital known as "Waione", which later became a nurses' home for the hospital.

One man who has early memories of the hospital is John Coles, who lives near Karapiro. John and his wife Sally were born at Waione in the 1930s. John says his father later donated a mangle (hand-wringer) to the hospital, because he saw how hard it was for the nurses to launder the newborn babies' nappies by hand.

Braemar Hospital chief executive Paul Bennett says hospital management would love to hear other early stories.

Braemar Hospital moved to its new $30 million, purpose-built premises on the corner of Ohaupo Rd and Kahikatea Drive two years ago. It is the region's largest private hospital and has 65 beds, a five-bed intensive care unit and six operating theatres.

Stage two of the hospital development has just started and is scheduled for completion in September next year.

The $11m extension will see further operating rooms and more accommodation.

Braemar will be giving away a celebratory bottle of wine for each story posted on the hospital's website. Contributors will also be invited for a tour of the new hospital and refreshments.

If you have an early association with the hospital, please contact Louise Baldock-Mauriri on 07 843 1898 extension 790 or email Louiseb@braemarhospital.co.nz.