Wakefield Hospital

In 1929, a grand opening unfolded at an abandoned brickworks in Newtown. This marked the birth of Lewisham Hospital, later to become the renowned Wakefield Hospital. Prime Minister Sir Joseph Ward and Governor-General Sir Charles Fergusson inaugurated the hospital, built by Fletcher Construction on land leased from local Māori. Wakefield Hospital stands today as a testament to a rich and evolving history. Initially owned and operated by The Little Company of Mary, a Catholic nursing order, the hospital shared its name with similar institutions in Sydney and Christchurch. Many of the first nurses at the Newtown location hailed from these sister hospitals. Wellington’s notorious northerly winds quickly necessitated the enclosure of the open verandas that graced each floor of the new hospital. This modification happened in 1932. A west wing was also added to accommodate the growing demand for the hospital’s services. The Williamson family’s generous donation later funded an eastward expansion, incorporating more rooms and a radiotherapy unit. This original 1929 structure still forms the core of Wakefield Hospital, stretching eastward from the main entrance. The hospital’s name changed to Calvary Hospital in 1953. It even housed the Mary Potter Hospice until 1990. The winds of change swept through again in 1987 when Wellcare Corporation purchased and renamed it Wellcare Hospital. However, the stock market crash of the same year impacted Wellcare Corporation. In 1989, a consortium of local medical specialists rescued the hospital, renaming it Wakefield Hospital. This transition involved renegotiating the land lease with local iwi, represented by the Wellington Tenths Trust, marking a significant shift towards commercially based agreements for old Māori leases. Wakefield Hospital continued its growth. The freehold of the land was purchased from the Trust in 1999. Wakefield Health Limited, the parent company, became Acurity Health Group Limited in 2012, reflecting its expanding role in New Zealand’s healthcare landscape. Evolution Healthcare, an Australian and New Zealand healthcare operator, acquired Acurity Health Group in 2015, marking another chapter in Wakefield Hospital’s story. Today, Wakefield Hospital is Wellington’s largest private hospital, located in Newtown and operated by Evolution Healthcare. It offers a wide range of diagnostic, interventional, and surgical procedures, utilizing state-of-the-art technology and equipment in comfortable surroundings. Their commitment to high-quality patient care is reflected in their accreditation by Quality Health New Zealand.