20 July 2004
Save the emergency department for emergencies
Significant re-development of Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s Emergency Department gets underway this week with Hawke’s Bay
District Health Board’s chief executive officer Chris Clarke asking the public to “save the emergency department for
emergencies”.
The construction work involves developing new emergency department reception and waiting areas providing a more “family
friendly” environment, including an additional family room and baby change area. In the clinical areas additional triage
facilities and a new step down resuscitation area will improve the assessment and monitoring of patients.
Says Mr Clarke, “On the down side we are looking at about 6-8 weeks where people will encounter a reduction in parking
close to the ED entrance, temporary waiting room and reception areas, periods where conditions may be noisy (depending
on adjacent construction activity) and potential for longer than normal waiting times, particularly when the clinical
areas are being developed.
“We will endeavour to minimise disruption and apologise for any inconvenience people may encounter. Unless there is a
real emergency we would encourage people to contact their GP or after hours medical centre and save the emergency
department for emergencies only.”
ENDS