Radius Residential Care

NZ Herald newspaper
29 July 2010



- click on image to enlarge -

Northern Advocate newspaper
24 July 2010


- click on image to enlarge -

Welcome to the Radius Residential Care Newsroom.
Here you’ll find accurate up-to-date information and news relating to Radius Residential Care’s facilities and activities.

Media and company information, together with media releases and high resolution images, have been compiled to assist media when researching and writing news articles.

‘The Orbiter’ – a monthly newsletter compiled especially for Radius Residential Care residents also offers interesting information and reading entertainment.

For more information or for media enquiries please contact:

Brien Cree
Chief Executive
Radius Residential Care Ltd
Ph (09) 304 2404
Cell 021 955 769
brien.cree@rrcl.co.nz

Carolyn Mackay
Personal Assistant to CEO
Ph (09) 304 2404
carolyn.mackay@rrcl.co.nz

COMPANY FACTSHEET

When was Radius Residential Care established?
Radius Residential Care Ltd was established in 2003 in response to New Zealand’s growing demand for aged care and specialist health care services. The privately owned company was registered and incorporated in June 2003.

Who owns Radius Residential Care?
Radius Residential Care is a New Zealand owned and operated company. Chief Executive Brien Cree is both a director and majority shareholder in the business. Other private individuals also share a vested interest and minority shareholding in the company. The company was formerly owned and operated by Radius Health Group (Radius Pharmacy and Radius Medical brands) prior to a major shareholding buyout in April 2010. Radius Residential Care is proud to be a New Zealand owned and operated aged care provider.

Who manages Radius Residential Care operations?
Head office for Radius Residential Care is located in Auckland city. There are three board of directors who preside over the Company and a team of seven key executive managers who govern company operations. At each of the 21 Radius Residential Care facilities nationwide there is an appointed Facility Manager who oversees the day-to-day care delivery of residents. Chief Executive Brien Cree is responsible for more than 1200 Radius Residential Care managers, caregivers and nursing staff based in facilities across New Zealand.

How many Radius Residential Care facilities are there nationwide?
There are a total of 21 Radius Residential Care facilities conveniently located throughout New Zealand in city centers and country settings.

One of these facilities is a retirement village situated in Ohaupo (Radius Windsor Court), offering independent living options in town houses and services apartments.

The other 20 facilities are rest home hospitals offering a high level of daily care that includes long term, respite, palliative and other care options for both young and old or disabled peoples.

How many beds are there at Radius Residential Care facilities throughout New Zealand?
Radius Residential Care is New Zealand’s fourth largest provider of aged care and specialized residential health services, offering a total of 1425 beds in 21 rest homes and two retirement village facilities nationwide.
More than 33,000 elderly New Zealanders and their families are cared for by aged residential care providers each year.

How many staff and residents are there in Radius facilities?
Radius Residential employs registered nurses and qualified caregivers to provide a high level of care to residents. More than 1200 staff care for approximately 1400 residents in Radius facilities nationwide.

What qualifications do Radius Residential Care staff have?
All nurses at Radius Residential Care facilities are registered, qualified and trained professionals. Radius caregivers are also chosen for their industry qualifications and their dedication to residents' quality of life. Professional skills of nurses and caregivers are fine-tuned through in-house training programmes and a specially devised ongoing staff development plan helps ensure staff stay up to date with new developments in nursing care.

What levels of care and services do Radius facilities offer?
Radius Residential Care facilities offer a broad range of 24 hour / 7 days a week health care services for people whose physical capacity has diminished - both young and old:

Hospital care services including; long term, respite and palliative care as well as care for young disabled persons, care for dementia sufferers, hospice care and complex medical care. All hospital care services are fully accredited.

Rest home care services offered by Radius Residential Care are; long term, respite and palliative care as well as care for young disabled persons and dementia sufferers and day care options.

Retirement village services available are; weekly visits from house doctor, a visiting diversional therapist and podiatrist and respite and day care options. A registered nurse is always available and the villages are staffed 24 hours a day. Weekly activities and regular outings are also arranged by a full time activities co-ordinator.

Who do I speak to about availability of space or entry into a Radius facility?
When enquiring about availability, or to arrange a visit to any Radius Residential Care facility please liaise directly with the relevant Facility Manager. Alternatively, you can request a detailed information pack by contacting head office.

Is there any subsidized funding available for Radius Residential Care residents?
Financial assistance is often available in the form of a Residential Care Subsidy provided by the Ministry of Health and funded through the District Health Boards. The subsidy assists with the cost of contracted care for a client in long-term residential care in a hospital or rest home indefinitely. The Ministry of Health is responsible for the payment of Residential Care Subsidy to the hospital or rest home where the client resides. For further information please contact Work and Income NZ or the relevant Radius Residential Facility Manager.


For further information please contact:

Brien Cree
Chief Executive Radius Residential Care Ltd
Ph (09) 304 2404
Cell 021 955 769
brien.cree@rrcl.co.nz

COMPANY BACKGROUNDER

Radius Residential Care Ltd was established in 2003 in response to New Zealand’s growing demand for aged care and specialist health care services.

Formerly a subsidiary company of Radius Health Group (which includes Radius Pharmacy and Radius Medical brands), Radius Residential Care Ltd underwent a major shareholding buyout in April 2010 when the Company was restored to kiwi ownership from Radius Health Group’s foreign investors. The Company is now headed by Chief Executive Brien Cree; one of Auckland’s leading rest home and hospital property consultants with more than 20 years experience in the industry. Brien is one of three company directors and the majority shareholder in the business. Other private individuals also share a vested interest and minority shareholding in the Company.

Since its inception seven years ago, Radius Residential Care Ltd has grown from one rest home to now include 21 rest home and hospital facilities nationwide. Radius Residential also owns and operates a retirement village in Ohaupo.

There are more than 1400 beds available at Radius aged care facilities throughout New Zealand making Radius Residential Care New Zealand’s fourth largest provider of aged care services. Residents are cared for by qualified, compassionate caregivers, and registered nursing staff who provide a variety of specialised health care services.

Radius takes an innovative approach to health care that seeks to maintain and enhance the well-being, dignity and independence of both young and old residents.
Emphasis is placed on providing a high level of quality care that seeks to exceed the residents needs and expectations and to create a homely atmosphere and enhanced quality of life for people whose physical capacity has diminished.

For further information please contact:

Brien Cree
Chief Executive Radius Residential Care Ltd
Ph (09) 304 2404
Cell 021 955 769
brien.cree@rrcl.co.nz

Brien Cree - Biography

Brien Cree is Chief Executive of Radius Residential Care Limited, and is also a Director and Shareholder in the Company.

With more than 20 years experience in the aged care and rest home property sectors, Brien is highly regarded as a leader within the aged care industry with an in-depth knowledge of the market and issues affecting the elderly.

A former rest home owner/operator, Brien understands the rest home industry in terms of acquisition, development, financing and day-to-day operational management. He has a real affinity with the elderly and a passion to provide the very best residential care services for New Zealand’s aging population.

Formerly involved in property development and one of Auckland’s leading rest home property consultants, Brien joined Radius Health Group in 2003 and headed the new Radius Residential Care division with a focus to provide exceptional care and enhanced lifestyle to Radius residents. In April 2010 Brien instigated a major shareholding buyout of the Company restoring kiwi ownership from foreign Radius Health Group investors whilst also securing Brien a majority shareholding in the business.

Under Brien’s directorship, Radius Residential Care Ltd has experienced tremendous growth in recent years; starting with just one resthome in New Plymouth in 2003 to now include a total of 21 aged care facilities and one retirement village throughout New Zealand. Brien is responsible for more than 1,200 staff and over 1,400 residents.

Brien is also a respected board member of the New Zealand Aged Care Association and his professional opinion is actively sought on a broad range of issues affecting the elderly.

Brien lives with his family in Auckland and his interests include surfing, boating and fishing.

For further information please contact:

Brien Cree
Chief Executive Radius Residential Care Ltd
Ph (09) 304 2404
Cell 021 955 769
brien.cree@rrcl.co.nz

Waikato Times
29 April 2010


- Click on image to enlarge -

NBR NZ Property Investor
17 April 2010

- click on image to enlarge -

ANZAC Day marks a special day for Radius Taupaki Gables rest home resident William (Billy) Morel as he remembers those he went into battle with during World War II and who didn’t make it out.

It’s also a time for reflection as Billy recalls he himself very nearly didn’t make it back to New Zealand shores when he was badly wounded on the front lines.

The scars Billy bears are both physical and mental and every ANZAC Day he remembers his friends who fought and died alongside him on the front lines.

The 86 year old former war veteran now resides at Radius Taupaki Gables hospital where they take good care of him and his old battle wounds. To commemorate ANZAC Day Radius rest home staff have arranged for Billy to attend the Waitakere RSA service on Sunday 25 April.

At the tender age of 17 yrs Billy was one of New Zealand’s youngest members to sign with the army in 1941 and consequently embarked on the biggest battle of his life and for his nation. Billy served in the Army’s 24th Battalion regiment and braced front line warfare fighting the Germans in Italy and later served in Japan.

“I remember the day when I and 10 other soldiers were all badly wounded by the Germans. It was a hell of day and we were under attack from rocket propelled grenades. We saw what was about to happen and all ran back to the safe house desperately cramming in through the door. But none of us escaped injury”, says Billy who received horrendous shrapnel wounds all over his back.

“They transported me by American Free Ambulance to the south of Italy and I’ve never experienced such pain in all my life”, says Billy who has the scars to prove it. Unable to return to the front lines following two months recovery in hospital, Billy instead became a steward assisting senior officers based in Japan until the end of the war.

Billy then returned to NZ to milk cows on the family dairy farm at Waihi and later married and had four children.

Always upbeat and with a ready laugh, Billy is happy to share his war time stories but admits it was a difficult time where you couldn’t forge lasting friendships because more often than not your new mate did not make it back from the battle lines. And those are the people Billy and others will be remembering this ANZAC Day.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Linda Venables
Facility Manager Radius Taupaki Rest Home Hospital
Ph 412 6800
Cell 021 524 128
linda.venables@rrcl.co.nz

Residents at Radius St Joans rest home and hospital in Hamilton are showing their support and superior knitting skills to help African newborn babies in need.

Six rest home lady residents have been eagerly knitting a range of brightly coloured infants ‘fish-n-chip’ garments that will used to cloth African newborns who are regularly sent home from hospital wrapped only in newspaper.

“Our Women’s Institute group wanted to help in some way and when we were advised of this tragic situation by the National Office we obtained specific knitting patterns in the hope that we could contribute and help make a difference”, says Glenys Holden, Motiviational Therapist at Radius St Joans rest home and hospital.

The rest home knitters are members of the Radius St Joans Women’ Institute and have knitted more than 50 jumpers already, with more already underway.

“This latest project is really neat and perfect for our members as we have several expert knitters. Our ladies also really enjoy putting their valuable skills to a good cause and having their handiwork admired – it’s also provides an opportunity for a good natter during our meetings too”.

The group has been an active member of the NZ Womens’ Institute for the past six years and is regularly joined by members of the Gordonton Women’s Institute group. Radius St Joans rest home and hospital is the only aged residential care facility in New Zealand to have a registered Federation of Women’s Institute group.

“We formed our group when some of the rest home residents advised us they were life long members of the NZ Women’s Institute Group and still wanted to participate in all the activities and social benefits the organization afforded them,” says Glenys who made arrangements to form the group.

The Radius St Joans Women’s Institute regularly meet once a month within the rest home and also has some outside members who are part of the group. New members are always welcome to join and there’s much friendship, laughter and fun while indulging in a delightful afternoon tea put on by the rest home, says Glenys.


ENDS


For further information or images please contact:

Glenys Holden, Motivational Therapist
Radius St Joans rest home and hospital
Ph (07) 855 5701
maree.hart@rrcl.co.nz

Kiwi ownership has been restored at NZ’s fourth largest rest home and hospital provider Radius Residential Care following a major shareholding buyout last week.

Auckland businessman and long time shareholder and director of Radius Residential Care, Brien Cree increased his 20% ownership stake in the company to 57% giving him majority control and ownership of the business. Cree is CEO of Radius Residential Care and together with CFO Suzanne Recchia, sourced private investors to purchase the remaining shareholding balance to help facilitate a complete buyout.

The return to kiwi ownership comes in the wake of news that many of NZ’s primary aged care providers are selling out to offshore investors and most are already majority owned by foreign shareholders.

Radius Residential Care was formerly a privately owned subsidiary company of Radius Health Group, which also includes Radius Medical and Radius Pharmacy companies. Prior to the buyout Radius Health Group shared a 67% majority stake in the Residential Care business together with foreign investment bank Kuwait Finance House.

Cree says Radius Health Group was looking to “restructure its balance sheet” and he saw an opportunity to regain control from majority shareholder Kuwait Finance House whose “primary interests were not fully committed to NZ’s aged care sector”.

Radius Residential Care has 21 aged residential rest homes and hospitals nationwide and one retirement village in Hamilton. The company employs approximately 1,200 staff and has total revenues in excess of $60m.


ENDS


For further information contact:

Brien Cree
Chief Executive Radius Residential Care Ltd
Ph (09) 304 2404
Cell 021 955 769
brien.cree@rrcl.co.nz

Taranaki Daily News
25 March 2010


- Click on image to enlarge -

Timaru Courier Newspaper
25 March 2010


- Click on image to enlarge -

Read the Orbiter Online here:

Northern Advocate
10 March 2010

- Click on image to enlarge -

Rest home to celebrate 81 year old record artist resident

Popular country and western tunes will resonate at Whangarei’s Radius Oakhaven Home this week as the rest home celebrates 81 year old Richard Gould’s recorded country music album.

Talented country and western singer and Radius rest home resident Richard Gould is set to celebrate his recorded music album “Let’s Go Country”
50 years on from when he first recorded his LP vinyl album.

The popular country and western album was a big success and included catchy tunes of the day such as Guitar Boogie, No one will ever know and Yesterday’s Girl.

Small in stature but with a big voice Richard was renown as the “singing jockey” and combined his day job of riding champion racehorses with his love of music, regularly singing and playing the guitar at taverns and music events in his hometown of Christchurch. In the early 1960’s Richard was approached by Christchurch record company Robbins Recording to produce a country music album in association with back up vocalists ‘The Country Cavaliers’.

Richard’s debut as a recording artist was a welcome addition to the New Zealand music scene at a time when the majority of recording companies seemed preoccupied with commercial pop music and appeared to have lost interest in promoting and encouraging homegrown talent.

“We had great fun producing that album,” says Richard whose incredible musical repertoire includes playing the mandolin, accordion, mouth organ, concertina, guitar and piano which he taught himself how to play in an astonishing three months.

“I really enjoyed entertaining the crowds and getting everyone’s feet stomping to the tunes of the day – it was a real buzz”.

Having been described as a man of many talents, Richard has led a varied and interesting life serving as the youngest member of the RSA in the merchant navy during the war and as a jockey, salesman, shop proprietor, motor mechanic, radio technician, magician, commercial fisherman and now music record artist.

In the early 1980’s Richard moved north to settle in Whangarei with his wife of 23 years Terry, and found work with NZ Towel Services and later as a commercial fisherman. Never without with his prized guitar it wasn’t long before Richard formed a small band ‘The Raumanga Country Group’ entertaining at various events and local Whangarei rest homes.

Richard now resides at Radius Oakhaven Home and although he is unable to sing the songs that once made him so popular he is very much looking forward to reminiscing those good old days as the rest home celebrates everything country and western.

ENDS

For more information or images please contact:

Helen Franklin, Facility Manager Radius Oakhaven
Ph (09) 437 3933
helen.franklin@radiushealth.co.nz

Western Leader Newspaper
25 February 2010


- Click on image to enlarge -

Rest home couple celebrate 70 years of wedded bliss

Not many couples can say that their marriage has “gone platinum” but Jack and Waveney Plumtree of New Plymouth have achieved just that: tomorrow they celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary and a remarkable 70 years of marriage.

Married in 1940 at New Plymouth’s Whitely Church, the Plumtree’s have enjoyed a long and cherished marriage for more than seven decades and are looking forward to celebrating their special milestone anniversary tomorrow at Radius Thornleigh Park rest home where they both now live.

The Plumtree’s who do everything together also believe that being compatible and supporting each other is vitally important for a successful marriage.

Companionship is important says Jack and the happily married couple now reside at Radius Thornleigh Park rest home which they choose because they were able to stay together and get the help they need as well as share a room.

“This was the ideal place for us, the staff here at Thornleigh Park are marvelous,” say Jack and Waveney.

The couple met in 1934 when Waveney, a former clothing shop assistant would walk past Jack’s work each day on her way home. A former builder, Jack plucked up the courage to ask her if she would like a lift home and the rest is history.

Before they married Jack had volunteered for the army and served during World War 2 in the campaign of England, Greece, Crete and the western dessert and came home with the 1st Furlow draft.

“It was hard being a newlywed and away from Waveney but our love endured and I returned home in 1944,” says Jack. Waveney and Jack had an only son and now have two grand children and seven great grand children who all live in New Plymouth and regularly visit.

The Plumtree’s intend to celebrate their special day tomorrow with family and friends at Radius Thornleigh Park. As recognition of their milestone anniversary they have also received letters from HM The Queen, the Governor General and Prime Minister John Key.

ENDS

For further information or images please contact:

Leah Corkill, Facility Manager Radius Thornleigh Park
Ph (06) 7583642
Cell 021 534 227leah.corkill@radiushealth.co.nz

Whangarei Leader Newspaper
16 February 2010


- Click on image to enlarge -

Oldest Resident Set to Celebrate 104 years

Mary Young is having a party tomorrow and she certainly has something to celebrate: she is turning an incredible 104 years of age.

Mary intends celebrating her historic birthday and remarkable old age with a special cake at Radius Potter Home in Whangarei where she now resides.

Born on 11th February 1906 Mary is the oldest rest home resident at Radius Potter Home and believes that the secret to her ripe old age and good health is a life lived according to good Christian Principles. Mary believes that you can’t beat good old fashioned values and that a good philosophy to live by is “Do unto others as you would be done by”.

Exercise is also important for good health says Mary who has never suffered ill health and loves to garden and used to play plenty of tennis, golf and bowls with her late husband Charlie Young. Mary can also attest that she has never once smoked or drunk alcohol and although now blind and deaf she stills listens to the radio and goes for regular walks through the corridors and gardens at Radius Potter Home.

The youngest of 10 children, Mary (nee Stevens) was born in Mangatapere and attended Whangarei Girls High School before marrying electrician Charlie Young. The couple later went farming in Ruakaka and ‘kept the home fires burning’ during the war years. They had a daughter Jill who now lives in Kaikohe with her husband Bruce Gillies. In 1943 the young couple moved back to Crystal Springs in Mangatapere where Mary became a key advocate in keeping the local Mangatapere church alive and her husband continued to farm the family’s jersey dairy cattle. Mary has three grandchildren and four great grandchildren whose lives she follows with great interest.

“It was a good honest farming life lived to the full” says Mary.

ENDS

For further information or images please contact:

Jenna Adams, Assistant Facility Manager Radius Potter Home
Ph (09) 438 2668
jenna.adams@radiushealth.co.nz