First patient for hospital’s new wards

MEDIA RELEASE
05 FEBRUARY 2005

First patient for hospital’s new wards

Fifty-five year old Massey woman Christina Neil was the first patient admitted to one of Waitakere Hospital’s new medical wards, which opened on Tuesday February 1.

The wards, named after West Auckland beaches Anawhata, Titirangi and Karekare, opened alongside a new coronary care unit.

They are part of a major $60 million redevelopment of the hospital which will see an emergency department open in April.

Mrs Neil was referred to the hospital by her GP, never realising she could potentially be the first patient. The next day she was presented with a native koromiko seedling by the hospital’s nurse advisor Kay Hogan and clinical leader Dr Robin Youngson.

She says it is the first time she has been to the hospital site and she is impressed with the nursing staff and hospital design.

“I’ve been really grateful for what the staff here have done for me. The low windows are great because it gives you a view from your bed and I think it’s really appropriate the wards are named after local beaches.”

Dr Youngson says that because the emergency department does not open for another two months it is important people requiring medical treatment continue to contact their GP, visit an after hours clinic or dial 111 in an emergency.

ENDS

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