Working with one of New Zealand’s top private hospitals for more than a decade
Lisa Gold
We’ve worked with St George’s Hospital, a private hospital in Christchurch, for many years providing strategic communications advice. Our work has varied from strategic planning, digital strategies, media relations and internal communications.
We have managed media relations for the hospital around its decision to close its maternity unit; to developing communications and engagement strategies supporting its $130 million post-earthquake rebuild that resulted in four new buildings – creating one of the best-equipped private hospitals in the country.
More recently, Convergence managed the rebuild of the hospital’s website, which saw us work closely with web developers. We wrote new and updated content, along with organising new photos and videos for the site, which went live in February 2024.
Last year, we assisted St George’s Cancer Care Centre in promoting several new endeavours and treatments to help those fighting cancer through successful media and advertorial campaigns to ensure this information was received by the wider public. A specific focus was the installation of a new radiation machine (MR Linac) in the centre, the first of its kind in New Zealand.
The MR Linac is being used to treat soft tissue cancers and is the 100th in the world to be sold. The machine provides more detailed, real-time MRI imaging, which means higher doses of radiation treatment can be given with greater precision. This leads to less risk of radiation affecting surrounding healthy tissue, which can cause side effects. Working with the Centre we were able to publicise this new treatment nationally on RNZ’s Nine to Noon, Mornings with Kim Hill, and TV3.
In a joint venture with the Cancer Society Canterbury West Coast, and another first for New Zealand, the Cancer Care Centre opened Encompass Health, a rehabilitation service that can be accessed at all stages of treatment. Encompass Health provides allied health and psychosocial cancer care services, ensuring patients’ needs are met. The Centre’s cancer treatment services also expanded to Dunedin and Queenstown in 2023 with two oncologists available in the area treatment plan appointments. This initiative is part of the Centre’s vision to ensure its services are accessible to the wider South Island. Convergence looked after the media relations for both projects.
It’s a rewarding feeling to engage in work knowing it can have a positive impact on people’s lives, especially in the health sector.
