1950s - Artist Impression of Whangarei Hospital

In the 1950s, during the planning for Whangarei Hospital’s future development, there was a much grander vision. This artist’s impression envisages 2 further wings attached to the main hospital, and further up the hill you can see another mulitstorey, H-shaped building.

This vision was developed in an era when ‘bigger was better’ and bricks and mortar was the answer to health service prayers. It is interesting to contrast this with today’s emphasis on short stays, community care and keeping people out of hospital as much as possible.