Devonport Defence Health Centre

The Devonport Defence Health Centre is the healthcare facility of the Royal [New Zealand Navy|New Zealand Navy]. It is located in Devonport, on Devonport Naval Base in Auckland.

History

Founded in 1941, the hospital was constructed on the cliff overlooking the naval base. The hospital expanded in the early 1980s with a new wing, and started hiring civilian staff in the 1990s. As of 2008, the hospital was treating military personnel only, and was operating as an accredited part of the New Zealand health system.

The Hyperbaric Unit is now owned and operated by WDHB - Health New Zealand - and is New Zealand's leader in diving and hyperbaric medical training and expertise, as well as having the only North Island facility to treat diving related emergencies, such as decompression sickness. The 'Slark' Hyperbaric Unit is used for both emergency treatment and non-urgent Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for general medical needs, including use by the public. Although still currently located adjacent to the Defence Health Centre at Devonport Naval Base, the unit is no longer part of the naval medical facility.