Acurity Health CEO to retire next year

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After almost 18 years with private hospital operator Acurity Health, chief executive Andrew Blair will retire in March.

During his six years in the top role Blair led the company in rebranding from Wakefield Health to Acurity.

In August, Canterbury NBR Rich Lister Mark Stewart's family company Medusa and Royston Hospital Trust Board completed a partial takeover lifting their stake to 50.01 per cent from 39 per cent.

"Acurity is in great shape... I am comfortable that I am leaving the company well placed to take advantage of the significant growth opportunities that the private hospital sector has ahead,'' Blair said.

Its Hastings property Royston Hospital, which offers private radiology and physiotherapy facilities, is having its theatre capacity extended within the next few months. The Wellington Crofton Downs healthcare centre Bowen Hospital has recently been redeveloped and plans are in place to update its Wellington Newtown property Wakefield Hospital. Blair said its investments at Auckland and Tauranga were ''performing well''.

During the past 17 years, Blair served on the executive committee of the New Zealand Private Surgical Hospitals Association including being its president for six years.

Acurity chair Alan Isaac said Blair was a tireless advocate for greater recognition of the important role played by private hospitals in meeting the healthcare needs of New Zealanders. The search for a replacement is underway.

Acurity shares on the NZX SmallCap index were unchanged at $5.91 this morning. 

- © Fairfax NZ News