Rotorua’s QE Health improves local health

QE Health in Rotorua has received a grant of $30,000 from NZCT for rehabilitative gym equipment to improve local's health.

Rehabilitation Fitness Centre Coordinator Tracey Lawson says

“QE Health has an established gym that caters for clients needing rehabilitation from injuries, chronic pain, mental and physical disabilities and other ailments that prevent them from living a fully active life, as well as the general public seeking a gym focused on rehabilitative and wellness exercise.”

“Our clientele range in age from 15-94, including attendees of our two-week ReCharge programme, young mountain biking athletes, local senior rugby teams, and local men's groups with a focus on moving the body to improve mental health and wellbeing, and reduce anxiety and depression.”

“QE Health had occupied the same site since 1942, using building stock originally designed to last 15 years. Its ongoing success meant it had outgrown the existing aged and not fit-for-purpose building.”

“Much of our equipment in the previous building was old and no longer fit for purpose. When we moved to our new building in March, we did so with upgraded and more modern gym equipment in line with our new facilities. We thank NZCT for the support that allowed us to purchase this new gym equipment. To provide a valuable service to our clients we needed a variety of machines that allow for the correct use not only of the machine, but also the body’s own natural mechanics.”

Specifically, this funding will enable us to:

Reduce the future burden on health services by supporting a wide variety of clients that attend the gym and programmes purely for the focus of rehabilitation.

Improve the success of the ReCharge programmes offered at QE where we work with people with many forms of chronic pain conditions, muscle and joint problems, and arthritis. Previous results show remarkable improvement in their physical abilities by using movement. Many of the machines and much of the equipment that will be purchased because of this funding will directly impact the ongoing improvement and success of the programmes.

Support those aiming to boost mental well-being by providing access to a wide variety of machines and free weights to help build their strength and confidence.

Provide quality rehabilitation and well-being services to the community, providing local jobs and training opportunities.

Offer a unique combination of rehabilitation and clinical spa, with comprehensive complementary wrap-around services all under one roof.

Develop a true community offering with a multi-disciplinary approach, allowing QE Health to offer a private/public integration in regard to service delivery.

The story of QE Health began in 1942 when the NZ Government commissioned the Public Works Department to construct a temporary building known as the ‘Services Convalescent Hospital,’ providing rehabilitation care to soldiers returning from WWII.

By mid-1948, the hospital ceased to function as one solely for servicemen. Patients from the Rotorua Sanatorium were transferred, and the hospital treated patients suffering from arthritis, rheumatism, and allied complaints. Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) also graciously consented to the hospital being named Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

In the 1960s, the spa treatments were brought over to a new wing at QE Health when the Rotorua Bathhouse, now known as the Tudor Towers, closed. After twenty years of Government administration, Queen Elizabeth Hospital was officially handed over to the Waikato Hospital Board in October 1968. In 1993 a private interest Health Group and Queen Elizabeth Community Trust combined to form QE Hospital Ltd, a private company that continued to provide specialised rheumatology, multidisciplinary musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and arthritis surgery.

March 2003 saw the unveiling of a commemorative glass window in the main entrance funded by the Patients’ Association. This was a ‘Turn of the Century’ gift to QE Health to celebrate sixty years of healing and caring. Celebrations were held in July 2003 to mark the tenth anniversary of the private company and a name change to QE Health. In December 2005, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Community Trust became the sole shareholder of QE Health representing QE’s focus away from ‘illness’ and more towards ‘wellness.’

Chief Executive Aaron Randell adds,

“QE Health has been a part of the fabric of Rotorua for more than 80 years and will continue to play an important role in providing quality clinical health and wellness services in Rotorua and beyond.”

“With the construction of our modern health and wellness facility complete, we have certainty that we can continue to support the community long into the future. It will allow us to grow, build on our legacy, and become more innovative. Our new facility reflects the excellent services QE Health is known for and will allow us to support the wider Rotorua community with both employment and health and wellness services. Thanks, NZCT.”