The public hospital is in the centre of Christchurch city, on the edge of Hagley Park, and serves the wider Canterbury region.

The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) operates the hospital with funding from the government.

The initial building was a two-storied "barn-like structure" on Hagley Park at Riccarton Avenue.

[9] Following the earthquakes, construction plans were scrapped and over the next five years, the Burwood Health Campus and the Christchurch Hospital underwent a $650 million redevelopment.

At Christchurch Hospital, the new Acute Services Building, now named Waipapa, has: The hospital played a key role in treating casualties of the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, admitting 164 people with serious injuries.