Canterbury was again hit by a number of aftershocks yesterday affecting to a varying degree our facilities St.Ives, St. Helena’s, St.Winifreds and Elloughton gardens in Timaru.
Whilst staff and residents were unhurt, our buildings have sustained minor new damage consisting of superficial cracking. Liquefaction is evident in Christchurch.
All four facilities were diligent in effectively operating emergency procedures during (and immediately after) the aftershocks and have now returned to a mostly normal operation. Essential services such as gas, water and sewerage are being checked today. Access to drinking water and electricity is uninterrupted.
Communication throughout yesterday afternoon with our Support Office was sound. Supplies of food and medical supplies are not affected.
Our thoughts are with Residents, their Families and our Staff during this difficult time.
Dear Residents, Families and Friends,
I visited Christchurch again this week, Wednesday 2nd March and provide the following update:
St Winifred's: St Winifred's have a few more cracks in some areas, none of which are structural.
The facility is running at full capacity with water, electricity, sewerage and a full staff compliment. Some staff have had difficulties in getting to work as a result of the location of their homes, the status of their homes or simply crossing town through the cordoned area. We have been assisting with this process and have been running and internal bureau among our three sites to ensure that we are staffing with full staff compliments.
St Helena's: St Helena's is in Barbadoes Street and is within the cordoned off area. The building itself has sustained virtually no damage as a result of the earthquake or any aftershocks subsequent.
The facility is operating with full services, electricity, water and sewerage are all operating as normal. We also have a full staff compliment at St Helena's.
There is difficulty in reaching the facility as it necessitates entering the cordoned off area. This area has had increasing security in the last week or so and has resulted in some staff being held at the checkpoints whilst their identities are verified and in some cases the Manager has had to leave the facility and come up to get the staff and to debate with the cordon patrols in order to get staff through. These issues are relatively minor given the extent of the damage in Christchurch. Staff are fully aware of the need to carry ID forms at all times and this added security has not affected our ability to provide high level care.
Despite being in the central city area, St Helena's has come out of the earthquake unscathed and for all intents and purposes is operating as normal.
St Ives: St Ives borders Vogel Street and River Road. River Road was extensively damaged in the quake and the wing nearest River Road has been damaged at this facility. On the day of the quake, residents were moved from that wing and have since been relocated to other facilities. All family members have been contacted to advise them of this move.
St Ives has limited water supply, electricity and sewerage services. The city council are continuing to work on the water supply issue and advise that we can expect full water supply to be reinstated as soon as repairs are completed. The difficulty with the water supply is that the main supply it runs alongside River Road and they are repairing damaged pipes as they come upon the damaged areas one, at a time, slowly moving towards our facility. The facility had three feeds that were capped on Vogel Street, they have been re-commissioned to provide the facility with water until the main River Road connection is restored. All staff and all residents are in good spirits and being well cared for.
I will be visiting Christchurch again next week and if the situation has changed again in any way I will update this report. Should you have any queries or wish to obtain additional information about a friend or family member, please don't hesitate to call us.
Regards,
Brien Cree
We have been able to establish limited contact with all three of our facilities in Christchurch and are happy again to confirm there have been no injuries of either staff or residents. The facilities effected are St Ives, St Helena's and St Winifred's.
We have been in contact with all our major suppliers who provide us with essential items such as food, medical supplies, sanitary and hygiene supplies, etc. In all cases these companies have put contingency plans in place to enable the consistent supply of their products to our facilities. Examples of this are our food supplier who has sustained damage to their warehouse in Christchurch, however is running trucks from their Dunedin supply centre daily. Another example is a medicine product supplier, again their warehouse has been damaged in Christchurch, however they are running trucks from Auckland, leaving every day in order for us to maintain a 24 hour order and supply process. The facilities were all well stocked and therefore there is no immediate concern regarding supply of any food items or necessary products.
At the time of this update, the three facilities were still without electricity, however the emergency lighting systems are all operable. The three facilities are also without water from the town water supply, however they all have access to emergency water supply sources.
The pharmacies that supply our medications have provided us with alternatives if required and we can confirm access to medications is not affected. We have canvassed our staff throughout the rest of the country to determine if people would be available to travel to Christchurch if required to assist and have had an overwhelming response from health care assistants, registered nurses and support staff. I am traveling to Christchurch tomorrow (Thursday 24/02/11) and will be able to provide a further update following that visit.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those in Christchurch.
Brien Cree
CEO
NZ Herald newspaper
29 July 2010
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Northern Advocate newspaper
24 July 2010
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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
NBR NZ Property Investor
17 April 2010
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