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Royston is poised to commence a $14 million expansion of the hospital and the Royston Centre. The development will expand into a neighbouring residential property held by Vital and the existing house has been sold and will be relocated.  The idea to donate the proceeds of sale of the house to benefit local charities was born, with Cranford Hospice and Hawke’s Bay Brain Injury Association chosen to be the two recipients.  Cranford Hospice will be presented with a cheque for $20,000 at their annual fundraiser, the Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction, on 10 November. “We’re delighted that a portion of the proceeds will benefit Cranford Hospice as they continue to fundraise for their relocation to their new site,” says Denise Primrose, Royston Hospital General Manager.

Royston Hospital staff have a proud history of raising funds for Cranford Hospice, with 15 staff and surgeon Sud Rao collectively raising $22,000 in 2009.

Hawke’s Bay Brain Injury Association, a charity nominated by Royston staff will also benefit and receive $5000 from the house sale proceeds. “It was important for us to involve staff in where the proceeds would go and the Brain Injury Association’s education programmes in local schools helps to raise awareness of concussion which we believe is worthy of support,” says Denise Primrose.

“We are grateful to Harcourt’s Hawke’s Bay,who marketed the home and managed the tender at no cost, allowing us to donate a larger amount to our chosen charities. Harcourt’s New Zealand support hospices through the Harcourt’s Foundation. The collaboration met both our values.”

“Removal of the house also meant we were able to avoid the generation of waste that comes with demolition. Preservation of older buildings has environmental merit and promotes sustainable development which is something we were keen to support,”says Denise Primrose.

The Royston redevelopment will take around 15 months and is expected to be under way prior to Christmas. It will feature two new operating theatres, expanded post-anaesthesia care unit, new day surgery facilities, a redesigned reception and entrance and expanded tenancy space.

The expansion at Royston will see improved patient flows to enhance our service to our private patients and enable us to continue to support contracts we have with the ACC and Hawke’s Bay DHB” says Acurity Health Group CEO Jonathan Coleman.

“Nearly 50% of elective surgeries in New Zealand are carried out through private surgical hospitals, and as one of New Zealand’s leading private surgical hospital groups it is crucial we expand our facilities to meet these demands.” 

With Vital Healthcare Property Trust, Acurity also own Wellington private hospitals Wakefield and Bowen, both also undergoing redevelopment and expansion. Work on the $112 million complete redevelopment of Wakefield, Wellington’s largest private hospital, will commence early 2019. Expansion of the Bowen Icon Cancer Centre at Bowen hospital, is nearing completion, with the development of a radiation oncology facility due to open in the new- year.

The house is planned to be relocated from the land on Tuesday 23 October.