HANMER CLOSES ALL CLINICS

Hanmer Is Closing Its Entire Nationwide Operation.

The alcohol and drug treatment provider was due to close its residential
treatment programme at Hanmer Springs at the end of the month.

But it has been revealed it is now closing down altogether.

Its five outpatient clinics in Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga, Hamilton
and Auckland will be wound up by the end of the month.

The Ministry of Health, which contracts outpatient services from Hanmer
Clinics, confirmed yesterday that it had an arrangement with the
organisation to close its programmes.

Senior managers at Hanmer Clinics found out about the closure only on
Wednesday and the organisation's clinical staff of 78 have yet to be told.

Hanmer Clinics' marketing director, Hetty van Hale, said the closure had
been forced by the ministry.

Hanmer Clinics, which is wholly owned by the Hanmer Foundation, has
operated from Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer Springs, since 1997.

- - NZPA