Bus Crash: Bay of Plenty CEO praises efforts of staff

6 September 2011

Bay of Plenty CEO praises efforts of staff in coping with patients from the school bus crash yesterday

CEO Bay of Plenty District Health Board, Phil Cammish said that Whakatane staff again showed the great commitment they have to the health service and to those who have need of its care.

“I have sent my personal thanks to all those staff who were directly involved in providing the care needed by these children and to those who supported them.

“It is during times of great stress and need that hospital staff can really make a difference to their patients, family and whānau. I am confident that the staff more than met this challenge yesterday.

“Whakatane ED usually has seven staff on in the late afternoon and evening but last night this number was boosted to more than 60 staff Many offered to stay on from finished shifts, others rang in to offer their help, some came in from leave while others were redeployed from within the hospital. Radiographers, radiologists, additional security, orderlies, nurses, doctors, surgeons and administration staff willingly turned up The hospital chaplain and Māori Health Service members were also at bedsides helping patients and their whānau last night and this morning.

“Staff showed the great commitment they have to the health service and to those who have need of its care, Mr Cammish said.

Between 1620 and 2130 hours Whakatane Hospital’s, Emergency Department assessed and treated a total of 29 patients from the school bus crash on Monday 5 September.

The patients were all aged between 5 years and 12 years of age.

Of the 29 patients, six were admitted to Whakatane Hospital and three were transferred to Tauranga Hospital during Monday night.

“In addition, two patients, both girls, one aged 6 years the other eight years old, were taken from the crash site to Rotorua Hospital. The 8-year old girl was later transferred to Starship Hospital in a critical condition. To get an update on her condition please phone Matthew Rogers on 021 804 122 (Starship Hospital communications).

In addition, one male aged 41 years was taken from the crash site directly to Tauranga Hospital.

Update of patients at 12.30pm Tuesday 6 September 2011

Whakatane Hospital patients – all comfortable and all stable.
One five year old boy
One 16 year old girl
Two 10 year old boys.

Tauranga Hospital – all comfortable and all stable.
One 41 year old male.
Two 12 year old boys
One 10 year old girl

Rotorua Hospital – comfortable and in a stable condition.
One six year old girl.

Starship Hospital
One eight year old girl (For update on her condition please phone Matthew Rogers on 021 804 122 Starship communications.

ENDS

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