Save the emergency department for emergencies

20 July 2004

Save the emergency department for emergencies

Significant re-development of Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s Emergency Department gets underway this week with Hawke’s Bay District Health Board’s chief executive officer Chris Clarke asking the public to “save the emergency department for emergencies”.

The construction work involves developing new emergency department reception and waiting areas providing a more “family friendly” environment, including an additional family room and baby change area. In the clinical areas additional triage facilities and a new step down resuscitation area will improve the assessment and monitoring of patients.

Says Mr Clarke, “On the down side we are looking at about 6-8 weeks where people will encounter a reduction in parking close to the ED entrance, temporary waiting room and reception areas, periods where conditions may be noisy (depending on adjacent construction activity) and potential for longer than normal waiting times, particularly when the clinical areas are being developed.

“We will endeavour to minimise disruption and apologise for any inconvenience people may encounter. Unless there is a real emergency we would encourage people to contact their GP or after hours medical centre and save the emergency department for emergencies only.”

ENDS

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