Newborns Celebrate Closing Of Old ChCh Hospital

Babies Born Today Celebrate The Closing Of The Old Christchurch Womens Hospital And The Opening Of The New Hospital

Baby Holly Williams has achieved the rare honour of being the first baby born at the new Christchurch Women’s Hospital in Riccarton Avenue. Holly was born by caesarean section at 11.18am today and weighed in at 3685 grams (8lbs). Holly is the daughter of Christchurch parents Tracy and Colin Williams.

Meanwhile baby Aedan Duncan Sheedy was the last baby to be born at the Colombo Street site at 2.15pm today. Mother Fiona Malcolm and father Gary Sheedy were delighted with their new son who weighs 3870 grams (8lbs 5oz) Although the hospital officially closed its doors at 10 o’clock this morning, Fiona remained in the Labour Ward until baby Aedan was settled. They were transferred to the new hospital at 4.30 this afternoon.

To recognise the birth of both the last baby at the old hospital and the first baby at the new hospital, Westpac Bank has opened Junior Accounts with a $2500 start up fund for both Holly and Aedan. Both babies also received a baby bag filled with goodies from the bank.

The main relocation of patients and babies from the old site to the new hospital started at 8am today and was achieved with maximum support and minimum fuss with help from St John Ambulance and a shuttle service between the two sites. 23 neonatal babies were moved with specialist clinical staff in attendance as were 15 pre and post natal women and a further five women were moved from the gynaecology ward.

The new day surgery unit which is on the first floor of the new hospital was due to open officially today. However, it had its first operation last night when an emergency eye operation was required. Staff involved with the operation said everything worked superbly.

The old Colombo Street hospital which has seen 52 years of service for women in Canterbury is now officially closed. The DHB will be spending several weeks with the final cleanup and removal of all major items and it’s future will then be determined.

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