A new chapter for Cranford Hospice

Cranford Hospice chief executive Janice Byford-Jones (left) and Cranford Hospice Trust chair Hayley Anderson have welcomed feedback from community about the move to Chesterhope. Photo Warren Buckland

Since Cranford Hospice was started by Presbyterian Support East Coast in 1982 it has grown from a volunteer-based service to a recognised provider of specialist palliative care, providing support to people across the region from Mahia to Takapau.

Such growth, however, coupled with a projected increase in demand for its services over the next 20 years presented challenges, which was why the Joan Fernie Charitable Trust's gift of a site at Chesterhope Station was welcomed by the charitable trust.

An independent report undertaken by Sapere Research in July this year confirmed that a combination of building age and restrictions, coupled with the increasing demands of modern palliative care meant that continuing on at its current Knight St site was not practical.

The report noted that the average number of patients per month under the care of Cranford Hospice had increased by 40 per cent over the five years to 2016/17.

In addition, projections showed that the number of deaths in Hawke's Bay would increase by 460 or 35 per cent over the next 20 years, from 1,330 in 2015/16 to 1,790 deaths in 2036, and that an increasing number of people dying were likely to benefit from palliative care.

This information was nothing new to those involved with the hospice, and discussions about the future of the facility began several years ago, said Cranford Hospice Foundation chairman John Buck.

With the offer of the Chesterhope land, part of the planning involved seeking community feedback on the proposed move, which was an important part of the journey, said Cranford Hospice Trust chair Hayley Anderson.

"People in our region have strong emotional ties with Cranford Hospice and it is important we keep them informed of our plans and our progress."

Cranford Hospice chief executive Janice Byford-Jones agreed the feedback had been valuable.

"We consulted with our staff and representatives from the 400 volunteers as well as residents and businesses in the Chesterhope area and communities in Napier, Hastings, Wairoa and Central Hawke's Bay.

"The overwhelmingly positive response we received was indeed both encouraging and reassuring."

While looking forward to moving to the new premises, there was a long way to go yet, Mr Buck said.

Although initial scoping discussions had been held with the Hastings District Council on whether the deal would be feasible, there were still a number of hoops to go through before building could get underway.

Currently plains production zone land the resource consent process was yet to begin, with the first step being to gain expressions of interest from local architectural and project management companies, before putting the construction phase to tender, he said.

"Then it will be on to the all-important phase of fundraising for the new build, which is separate from the current operational fundraising."

Questions over the design and conformation of the building would be answered through this process, and then it would be a matter of looking at the likes of geotechnical, sewerage, fibre and road access issues.

"We've just starting and don't anticipate turning any sod until the end of next year - our timeline for the new construction is December 2020."

Currently Cranford Hospice needed to fundraise $2.8 million each year (or $7700 each day) to provide specialist palliative care at no cost to the patient or their family/whānau.

The new build was estimated to cost $14 million on top of that, he said.

Being such a big project, with these big numbers, it was important that everything was done correctly, including management of the building process, and Mr Buck said that the building committee would be headed by Ray McKimm who had experience in such large projects.

"Rome wasn't built in a day, but this not only gives us the opportunity to create purpose built facilities that we believe can see Hawke's Bay lead the country in palliative care it also gives our patients and families a beautiful, peaceful environment that we could never create at our current site.

"It is also a great mid-point between Napier and Hastings.

"We are enormously grateful for the generosity and support shown by the Fernie Trust in helping us to realise this amazing opportunity."