Royston: A history of care over half a century

In 1931, a strong earthquake shook Hawke's Bay to its foundations. In the aftermath, unable to work from a damaged building, the matron of the small private surgical hospital known as Royston, transferred her staff and equipment to the kiosk at the Hastings racecourse and set up an emergency surgery unit. Soon afterwards, they relocated to the former Harris family home just across the road. This same home forms the base of Royston Hospital today.

After the quake, the house was bought by a group of doctors. Twenty years later, they donated their investment to a charitable trust which continued to run Royston until 1993. That year the trust joined with a group of medical specialists to form a joint venture company to begin the process of rebuilding the Royston facilities.

In January 2006, Royston Hospital merged with Wakefield Health Limited and it is now a member of the Wakefield Health group of hospitals (including Wakefield and Bowen Hospitals in Wellington).

Royston continues to advance and serve the people of Hawke's Bay with specialist services, state-of-the-art facilities and with staff who are always striving to achieve the highest possible level of patient care.

"The History of Royston Hospital" written by Hawke's Bay journalist, author and photographer Eva Bradley, was published in October 2007. Copies can be purchased from the hospital reception for $35.00 (including GST).