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ICU Ribbon Is Cut, Completing Waikato DHB New Critical Care
13 May 2013
ICU Ribbon Is Cut, Completing Waikato DHB's New Critical Care
The $12 million redevelopment of Critical Care at Waikato DHB is now officially complete with the ribbon to Waikato Hospital’s new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) cut on Friday (10 May).
The opening precedes ICU’s momentous move from level three of Menzies Building to its location alongside the High Dependency Unit (HDU) in the Meade Clinical Centre, scheduled for Wednesday next week (15 May).
Former HCU and ICU director Jack Havill opened the facility, cheered on by about 100 guests including staff; families; and special guest, past ICU patient William Pike.
Mr Pike was a survivor of the 2007 Mount Ruapehu eruption and spoke of his near-death experience, his time at Waikato Hospital’s ICU, and the progress he has since made.
Guests were further ‘wowed’ by a video detailing the progress of past Waikato Hospital ICU patient Matthew Purchase, who spoke of his progress following an accident that saw him shot in the back of the head.
The new Critical Care is a far cry from the old Menzies Building set-up. The space has increased from nine square metres to 20 square metres, has improved patient bathroom facilities, negative pressure and isolation rooms for patients with infection control requirements, and an array of up-to-date technologies.
It is now immediately adjacent to operating theatres, directly above Emergency Department and directly accessible to main hospital circulation routes.
Chief executive Craig Climo acknowledged that Waikato Hospital has a very experienced ICU and HDU medical and nursing team, trained to a high standard, involved nationally at a high level and well known for a number of years to deliver a high standard of care.
“The new facility will complement the standards of the staff who work in Critical Care at Waikato Hospital,” he said.
Nurse manager Colleen Hartley said that come Wednesday, “we just won’t know ourselves. The new Critical Care environment is actually just beautiful. It is a large space that is calm, quiet and ideal for patients to get better. We can’t wait.”
“There is no doubt we have a fantastic facility, which is what the people of Waikato and Midland regions deserve,” said clinical director Rob Frengley.
Mr Climo thanked some of the team for their active role in shaping the new Critical Care.
Building Programme Office for the building, Programme Management Office and the IS project team, and all of the ICU and HDU staff.
Special thanks were given to clinical director Rob Frengley, nurse manager Colleen Hartley, project manager Lynnette Jones and charge nurse manager Niki Houghton.
Mr Havill and retired physician Peter Rothwell were also acknowledged for their rich history and support within the redevelopment process.
More
information
• VIDEO: Former Waikato Hospital ICU patient
speaks of his progress
• Photographs of the event
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 373,220 people living in the Waikato DHB region. It has an annual turnover of $1.2 billion and employs more than 6450 people.
Health Waikato is the DHB’s main provider of hospital and health services. 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.
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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