Tauranga Hospital escapes heavy rain damage

18 May 2005

Tauranga Hospital escapes heavy rain damage

Tauranga Hospital has so far escaped major damage as a result of heavy rain over the past two days, says General Manager Alan Wilson.

"We've experienced some flooding in hallways and basements and a leaking in various other parts of the hospital, but we are doing everything we can to maintain business as usual," says Mr Wilson.

Hospital staff have been pumping water from basement areas as well as keeping water at bay throughout corridors to maintain patient and staff safety.

A few patients in the Emergency Department have been relocated to other parts of the hospital due to water pooling in some areas, but the hospital is still fully operational. There has been no evacuation of Operating Theatres as has been incorrectly reported.

Fifty sandbags have been delivered to Tauranga Hospital as a precautionary measure in preparation for the heavy rain expected to continue over the next few days.

Some surgery may be postponed over the next couple of days due to road closures, staff unavailability due to flooding, and pressures from any elderly patients admitted as a result of flooding.

An incident control team has been established at Tauranga Hospital to oversee emergency management of the facility and community services, and has established contact with Civil Defence Headquarters.

ENDS

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