New home for Cranford

Cranford Hospice is forging ahead with plans to build a new home at Chesterhope.

The hospice has reached an initial “Green Light” goal of $10million in committed funds for the new purpose-built facility on land donated by the Joan Fernie Charitable Trust at Chesterhope Station in Pakowai. 

Hospice Foundation Chair Chris Tremain says the new home, which is planned to open mid-2024, will ensure the people of Hawke’s Bay can receive the best possible palliative care, now, and for generations to come. 

To date, 44 large donors have made contributions to the capital project including Royston Health Trust ($1.5m), Weem Charitable Trust ($1m), and Hastings District Council ($500,000).

“We are blown away by the generosity shown by individuals, businesses and trusts,” says Tremain. 

But the fundraising is far from over, with a total project cost of $15 million estimated in 2018 and likely to have ballooned since. 

“While the $10m raised is excellent, we still have much work to do,” says Tremain. “Right now, we’re working to gain significant donations of $5,000 and above before we go to a wider and more public campaign.” 

The demand for palliative care services continues to rise in Hawke’s Bay, with the number of contacts made by Cranford nurses and doctors with patients and their whānau increasing by 25% in the last financial year. 

On any given day hospice nursing teams see 200 patients and family in the community.

And this service won’t change with the new facility, says Campaign Manager Alesha Hope. 

 “We still want  to support people to be in their own homes. But we will have much more room to provide day services such as bereavement support and art and music therapy that will further benefit patients, families and whanau. 

“The new facility will also have much better facilities for the expanding staff team and there will be further space to grow if needed.“

Cranford opened its current facility in Knight Street, Hastings, in August 1982. In August 2017, it was concluded that the current building was no longer fit for purpose due to its age and design, and the expanding need for palliative care services in Hawke’s Bay.

The new Cranford home  at Chesterhope will feature eight in-beds each with its own ensuite (there are only six now and one with an ensuite). It  will be in a secluded rural location surrounded by an arboretum of trees, complete with its own lake and gardens, originally designed in the early 1900s by curators from Kew Gardens.

Contact Alesha Hope, Campaign Manager (Alesha.hope@cranfordhospice.org.nz;
027 633 3917) for more information on making a donation towards the new home for Cranford.