New facilities at Kenepuru Community Hospital

11 April 2006

New facilities at Kenepuru Community Hospital officially open today

The second phase of developments at Kenepuru Community Hospital will be officially opened this afternoon by the Hon Pete Hodgson, Minister of Health.

Construction of additional facilities at Kenepuru commenced in 2004, and is focussed on the expansion of hospital facilities and services. Completion of the latest phase has involved:
• Significant expansion of Outpatient services;
• Development of a specialist Audiology Centre which includes paediatric assessment;
• Development of an Education Centre for staff and the community.

"As a direct result of this expansion we will be able to offer a much wider range of specialist hospital services right here in the Porirua community, closer to people who need them," says Bob Henare, Chariman of Capital & Coast District Health Board.

The Board has a strong focus on reducing the barriers that people experience when they need treatment and/or want to improve their health, Mr Henary stated.

"Kenepuru Community Hospital is easier to reach for many people living in northern areas of Wellington, around Porirua and the Kapiti Coast. We know that transport and travel are significant barriers for many people. The developments we are opening today will mean that far fewer people in this area are required to travel to Wellington Hospital for outpatient assessment and treatment," Mr Henare said.

The new facilities and services are designed to complement those provided at Wellington Hospital and the Kapiti Health Centre.

Margot Mains, the CEO of Capital & Coast DHB says the expanded facilities will also create benefits for the entire C&C DHB district. “The new outpatient services here at Kenepuru will be able to see several hundred more people each week, and there will also be a significant increase in the amount of day surgery completed here."

The third stage of developments at Kenepuru Community Hospital is now underway. This stage will involve the construction of a new psychogeriatric service, together with a raft of internal renovations to improve conditions for rehab patients, maternity and dental services, theatres and recovery rooms, and the accommodation provided for community-based teams. It is expected that work will be completed towards the end of this year.

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