Silverstream Hospital

History

HistorySilverstream Hospital was built by the Government in the early years of World War II. Construction began in September 1941, with the original intention being for it to serve the large concentration of New Zealand troops at nearby Trentham Military Camp. In May 1942, however, as construction was nearing completion, the decision was made to increase its size and hand it over the recently arrived US Navy instead. The US Navy occupied the site from August 1942 and used it to treat malarial victims and wounded from the War in the Pacific. At the peak of its extensions it was able to accommodate 1,600 patients and during the period it was used by the US Navy (ending in April 1944) approximately 20,000 patients were treated here.

In August 1943 it was visited by Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the US President. Don Adams, who was later to find fame as an actor, starring in the TV series Get Smart as Maxwell Smart, recovered from a severe case of malaria in Silverstream Hospital. He had been part of the landing force at Guadalcanal, aged just 16.

After the war the institution was taken over by the Wellington Hospital Board (later the Wellington Area Health Board) and used for the accommodation of long-term patients.

A new day rehabilitation centre opened in April 1977.

A March 11, 1986 article listed 168 continuing-care beds, four beds for intermittent care, and 14 for rehabilitation; there were also outpatient rehabilitation services. The article listed proposed relocation of continuing-care to the empty St Helen's Hospital. Another article on June 24 described meetings in which the board outlined its reasons for closure; the audiences were generally opposed. The final decision to close was made at the end of November, 1988. The hospital closed on June 9, 1989.

The site was purchased by Lower Hutt's John Ross; in the December 4, 1990 'Leader' he invited suggestions for its future use. He eventually vested it in a charitable trust intended to renovate its buildings.
It subsequently became the Silverstream Park Christian Centre. In April 1995 Ward 7 was being used by line dancers as their venue, and named 'The Barn'.

The site is now the Silverstream Retreat.

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Silverstream Hospital