Churchill Hospital has celebrated a milestone anniversary, marking 3 decades of service to the Marlborough community. Friends and staff of the Hospital both old and new attended a gathering, held at the Pernod Ricard centre to mark the occasion.
Guests heard from a variety of speakers, who each shared their personal journey with Churchill, some as staff members, some as supporters of the Churchill Private Hospital Trust.
One such speaker was John Hyndman, a founding member of the original Trust.
John spoke of the motivations for establishing a private hospital in Marlborough, a concept which although met with scepticism at the time, has proved to be hugely successful and mutually beneficial for Marlborough’s public and private healthcare.
An increase in day case surgeries in the mid 90’s, thanks to global changes in treatment approach, had left surplus ward space at Wairau Hospital. Churchill’s lease of this and ultimately consulting space helped prevent large portions of the public hospital from being mothballed.
“There is a strong possibility that the public hospital may not have survived without our input.” John said recently in an interview with Marlborough Weekly. “ As we became more financially viable, we were able to invest more money into the facilities and equipment which benefited everyone in both the public and private sectors.”
At the time, concerns over risking the privatisation of public healthcare were voiced by many but that was not the Trusts intention. “We were very careful not to impose on each other’s territory,” John recalls.
“Gradually people became aware that this was a very successful symbiotic relationship.”
The late Glenys Baldick, former Nelson Marlborough District Health Board Chief Executive, was remembered for her efforts in the early years as well as the dedication of Nurse administrator Gerry Van Wijngaarden.
Anaesthetist Mark Robinson shared with the newspaper, the challenges of keeping highly skilled surgeons in the area and the security that employing them privately for the balance of their time has given the hospital. “The only solution to help keep those surgeons was establishing a dedicated surgical facility for private healthcare”. He said.
Not only is Churchill Hospital proving to be an asset to the local health system, but Churchill Private Hospital Trust is also able to support the wellbeing of the wider community at the grass roots level.
General manager Marlise van Staden joined the team less than 18 months ago. “I love that we can keep our patients within their community for surgeries and procedures.” She says, adding “But I also love the ability to work within a charitable trust that gives back to its community to enhance wellbeing through sponsorships and educational grants.”
Churchill Private Hospital Trust’s community donations scheme reinvests in the wellbeing of the Marlborough community by way of grants to support local groups.
“We support around 30-40 organisations/individuals annually” Says Marlise.
Since its establishment in 1994, Churchill Private Hospital has seen 17,069 procedures through the doors, thanks to the dedication of hard working and forward focussed Marlborough health professionals.
