Queen Mary Hospital Hanmer Selloff Opposed

“The Canterbury District Health Board’s proposal to sell off the land in Hanmer where Queen Mary Hospital is located is short sighted cost cutting and will be resisted by Health workers in Canterbury and families throughout New Zealand”, said Nadine Marshall, Secretary of the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE). She was commenting on the formation of a Health Cuts Hurt group that aims to persuade the Minister of Health not to sell the land.

“This is a nationwide issue affecting Kiwi families from Kaitaia to Bluff. These families have sons or daughters or mums or dads with severe addictions who owe their strength today to Queen Mary. Our group is seeking support from outside Canterbury from such families to stop the sale,” said Nadine Marshall.

“The Board says the proceeds will go to other assets (such as a car parking building)”, said Nadine Marshall. “But the board is cutting $30m over three years and this is just another cut – you don’t sell the family silver to buy groceries.”

Nadine Marshall said the fight was for the future people of New Zealand. “We need this land in public ownership so that it is there when long term rehabilitation for addictions for alcohol and drugs again becomes seen as necessary”, said Nadine Marshall.

“A public meeting tomorrow in Christchurch will be presented with actions to save Queen Mary. People in the Hanmer area are already talking of direct action.”

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