$3.2M Paediatric Unit Expansion For Waitakere Hospital

MEDIA RELEASE

24 August 2011

$3.2M Paediatric Unit Expansion Planned At Waitakere Hospital

The Waitemata District Health Board has approved a $3.2 million dollar
expansion of the Rangitira paediatric inpatient unit at Waitakere
Hospital.

Waitemata DHB CEO Dr Dale Bramley says the expansion is a real boost for
child health in Waitakere and across the Waitemata District.

"The Rangitira unit expansion marks our ongoing commitment to improving
the services we provide children and families," says Dr Bramley.

It follows the introduction of round-the-clock emergency care for
children at Waitakere Hospital in July last year.

"The population in Waitakere is growing rapidly, and the expansion of
the Rangitira paediatric unit will help us meet longer term demand for
our services."

Expansion works will start in October and are due for completion in June
2012, adding a further 11 beds to the existing 22 beds.

Rangitira unit paediatrician Dr Tim Jelleyman says the majority of
children who present at the unit have respiratory ailments such as
pneumonia and bronchitis.

"This new development will provide an improved standard of care for the
children and their families.

"It will also see a new negative pressure isolation room built for
infectious patients, which will help control the spread of diseases like
measles and chicken pox."

Dr Bramley says a lot of work is being done to ensure that the services
provided by the DHB continue to meet the needs of its population.

"We strive to continually improve on the services we provide children
and their families. Building new facilities are a key part of ensuring
that we continue to make improvements on the service we provide our
communities."

ENDS

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