Let's go shopping

Monday, 1 October 2012, 5:31 pm
Press Release: Waikato District Health Board

Let's go shopping

Fitting out a building the size of the Meade Clinical Centre doesn’t happen without a lot of planning, budgeting and hard work.

Building Programme Office equipment manager Daniel McKay and his team are the ones making it happen.

Daniel has been in charge of the job since Mark Goldsmith left in March, and while a lot of the work for fitting out the new building was already under way, it’s been his baby for the past six or seven months.

His background had been in procurement in the oil and gas industry, which might seem far removed from getting a giant clinical centre up and running, but he says much of the thinking is the same.

“It’s all about lead times and getting things on schedule and getting the right solution.

“But in the hospital we are always looking for value, because this is public money. “We are really mindful of service contracts and agreements as this has an impact for several years down the track.

“You have to be mindful of the clinical side of it too – what’s best for the patients. This building is designed around what’s going to give the most benefit to patients."

Furniture is the biggest issue, and “that’s what gives us the most headaches".

Daniel has to work within a budget of course, and it’s a big budget. There are lots of people to consult with, including the clinicians, about needs and requirements. “Most of the time the budget and what we want fit together – but not always.

We get a realistic budget but it’s by no means infinite and it’s pretty much spent.

“I can guarantee on day one what things will look like but can’t guarantee it a week later. Over time things get changed around."

While Daniel takes his extensive shopping lists “to market", price is never the only consideration when buying gear for a hospital. There are health and safety and infection control issues to be met and Daniel is always working in concert with other departments.

Things all came together on “moving day" on the Friday before the first clinics opened on the Monday 10 September.

“Moving day was a triumph," says Daniel. "We started at 5am and there were some exhausted people around by later that day. We had lots of help from other departments but it was a physically demanding day. But everything came together."

Daniel puts that down to the good relationships and communication with all involved. And of course planning, with a big input from PMO and IS project teams “You can’t just go in and fill it up."

Click for more information on the Meade Clinical Centre.

ends

About Waikato District Health Board and Health Waikato:

Waikato DHB is responsible for planning, funding and providing quality health and disability support services for the 372,865 people living in the Waikato DHB region. It has an annual turnover of $1.2 billion and employs more than 6000 people.

Health Waikato is the DHB’s main provider of hospital and health services with an annual budget of more than $701 million and 5238 staff. It has six groups across five hospital sites, three primary birthing units, two continuing care facilities and 20 community bases offering a comprehensive range of primary, secondary and tertiary health services.

A wide range of independent providers deliver other Waikato DHB-funded health services - including primary health, pharmacies and community laboratories.

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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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