Outpatients Clinics Moved At North Shore Hospital

16 April 2004

Outpatients Clinics Relocated At North Shore Hospital

A new lung function service and pre-admission assessments will be among facilities available at North Shore Hospital’s redeveloped Outpatients department opening on Monday April 26.

Outpatients department manager Nancy Thomson says the old Outpatients area did not previously offer these services, and the area has been redeveloped and expanded to cope with growing volumes of patients and the increase in services at the hospital.

“All Outpatients clinics are now together in one area on the ground floor. Previously we were spread out over several areas, and while the area has been redeveloped over the past nine months we’ve been spread around the hospital. Now services will be consolidated and close together; there will be more staff and resources will be amalgamated,” she says.

Staff will also be allocated to a particular service.

“In the past staff were allocated to patients across a range of Outpatient services. Now they’ll be allocated a specific service to take care of.”

The department will be divided into seven main areas: General medicine and surgery –21 consultation rooms; includes dental and ENT (ear, nose throat). MORE…

Orthopaedics – six consultation rooms, a plaster room, procedure room and two dedicated X-ray rooms located next to Radiology for easy access. Gynaecology – (will be moving into the new area in June) five consultation rooms, a procedure room, two colposcopy rooms. Cardiophysiology – two echocardiogram rooms, recovery, three ECG booths – run by specialist cardiac staff. Lung function room – for testing respiratory conditions Audiology Mammography – (will operate out of Level 1 till May 14) five consultation rooms, an X-ray room, processing room.

Waitemata DHB’s Clinical Services Manager Janine Tong says the department is always extremely busy and sees around 250 patients a day.

“The Outpatients department is a pivotal part of hospital life. Efficient processing through the system is vital. If it’s not done correctly the patient won’t get through to have the treatment, procedure or adequate follow-up they require.

“Work flows for staff will be improved as we will have staff working together in one area instead of scattered over eight different wards.”

Patients attending Outpatients Clinics at North Shore Hospital should now use Entrance 2, to the left of the hospital’s main entrance. Appointment letters will detail where to park and where the department is within the hospital.

ENDS

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