Changes to Christchurch Hospital increase beds

Changes to Christchurch Hospital increase number of beds

A new Urology Unit at the Christchurch Hospital campus was officially opened today. The unit is one of the solutions in addressing a shortage of General Medicine beds at Christchurch Hospital.

Twenty five more beds have been made available for General Medicine through the relocation of the Urology ward and changes involving the Nephrology, Cardiology and Gynaecology teams.

Canterbury District Health Board Chief Executive, David Meates praised all the medical teams who worked together to address the shortage of General Medicine beds. “The positive changes in patient flow are already evident.”

The short term solution has involved the relocation of the Urology unit from Ward 14 to a new area between Christchurch and Christchurch Women’s Hospitals; the movement of Cardiology from Ward 26 to Ward 14, close to Nephrology; and Gynaecology having its space on Level 2 of Christchurch Women’s Hospital reduced but gaining five rooms in a new birthing recovery area. The new recovery area, which opens next week, will be above the urology extension. The area where the birthing recovery area was previously located will be renovated within the next four to five weeks, creating five extra beds, primarily for high risk ante natal patients.

As a result General Medicine now has an extra 25 beds located in Ward 26.

“This way of working, - innovative proposals, debate and compromise - is the way of the future. This particular project has not only solved our immediate needs but has also helped to future proof Christchurch Women’s Hospital,” Mr Meates said. “It has led to a greater understanding between medical teams of the pressures, issues and challenges that each of them face.”

A report detailing the shortage of beds for General Medicine patients was written at the end of 2008. This was developed into a proposal called “Project Bed”.

Extra bed capacity was important at Christchurch Hospital to improve patient flow from the

Emergency Department and reduce the number of General Medicine patients being cared for in other wards.

“With winter illness in full swing, the availability of these extra beds is more than welcome,

“Christchurch Hospital Interim General Manager Ruth Barclay said.

ENDS

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