1 August 2008
First Baby Born In Revamped Delivery Suite
When Hamilton mother-to-be Fiona Reid went into labour on Tuesday she wasn't expecting to see brand new facilities at
Waikato Hospital, and be the first to use them.
"It was quite a surprise. They moved me in halfway through labour and it looked awesome. Much nicer and brighter," she
said.
Ms Reid was the first woman to give birth in the first complete half of the newly refurbished delivery suite.
Brooke Arapera Naomi Phillips was born at 3.07pm on Tuesday 29 July.
Health Waikato chief operating officer Jan Adams congratulated Ms Reid on her new arrival and for being the lucky first
to use the new facilities.
Major refurbishment of the suite began in January as part of Waikato DHB's Service and Campus Redevelopment project to
provide a more comfortable place for women to give birth.
A more secure and modern clinical environment was also part of the brief.
The new larger, modern and more private rooms now receive natural sunlight making the rooms a much brighter place for
giving birth.
Most of the rooms also include an ensuite bathroom with shower - a significant improvement from the old suite where
women were required to share.
Work is now set to get underway on the second half of the suite, with full completion by the end of the year.
The end result will be a one-stop shop for pregnant women with a central reception area directing women to either the
delivery suite or Women's Assessment Unit.
Fore more information about Waikato DHB's Service and Campus Redevelopment project visit www.waikatodhb.govt.nz/SCR.
Ashleigh Peek Communications Consultant Media and Communications Waikato District Health Board Phone: 021 359 315
About Waikato District Health Board and Health Waikato:
Waikato DHB is responsible for planning, funding and providing quality health and disability support services for the
353,460 people living in the Waikato DHB region. It has an annual turnover of $915 million and employs more than 5300
people.
Health Waikato is the DHB's main provider of hospital and health services with an annual budget of $530 million and 4500
staff. It has seven divisions across five hospital sites, two maternity and continuing care hospitals and 21 community
bases offering a comprehensive range of primary, secondary and tertiary health services.
Other Waikato DHB-funded health services - including primary health, pharmacies and community laboratories - are
delivered by a wide range of independent providers.
ENDS