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Thames birthing unit to be open by Christmas
Thames birthing unit to be open by Christmas
Waikato District Health Board has received the resource consent it needs to start work on Thames’ new birthing unit.
Service and Campus Redevelopment project director Ian Wolstencroft said work would get underway shortly although not much action would be seen on the Mary Street site.
“Most of the work will be done off site and then moved onto the location in two parts for final fit out later this year.
“We’re confident that the unit will be completed and open by Christmas,” he said.
The DHB announced in October last year that it would construct the unit after a survey found that more than 90 per cent of women would give birth in Thames if there were a new primary birthing facility.
Primary birthing facilities, where only midwifery care is available, are currently inside Thames Hospital in old and converted ward space.
The new unit will provide the Thames-Coromandel community with brand new, modern facilities that have previously only been available in Hamilton or the Bay of Plenty.
The purpose built and
designed unit will look like a normal house from the outside
but inside will have:
▪ three bedrooms
▪ two
birthing rooms
▪ a relaxation indoor
pool
▪ dedicated breastfeeding rooms and;
▪ a
patient lounge.
“Each bedroom and birthing room will also have its own ensuite,” Mr Wolstencroft said.
The unit will have the capacity for 200 births per year, more than current capacity and demand.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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