Clock is ticking on Meade Clinical Centre, 20 weeks to go
There’s 20 weeks to go until the Meade Clinical Centre opens on the Waiora Waikato Hospital campus site in Hamilton and
already members of the public are having an input.
An outpatient feedback evening resulted in the identification of several key issues, which hospital staff will action.
Outpatients want text reminders, email contact, want to be told if there are delays and how long they are likely to be,
want to know in advance whether there will be costs involved in their visit e.g. car parking and want updated campus
maps.
Waikato Hospital assistant group manager Jo-Anne Deane said it was important to provide a service that met outpatients’
expectations.
“We need to understand what is important to our patients when they attend clinic appointments,” she said.
“We’ve been told outpatients will respond if we utilise technology such as text reminders,” said Ms Deane.
Delays in the clinics can also be irritating for people. Often the delays may be because a clinician has a medical
emergency to attend to. “They told us they were more than happy to wait if they know why the clinic is running late and
how long the delay is expected to be,” she said.
The work involved between now and the Meade Clinical Centre opening in 20 weeks will concentrate on putting systems in
place.
“We will be revising and standardising outpatient appointment letters to ensure patients get clear and appropriate
information to prepare them for their appointment.
“We are looking at utilising technological solutions to deliver an ‘active waiting’ solution in Meade Clinical Centre
waiting areas.
“Receptionists will also have greater visibility of waiting times so they can communicate with patients upon their
arrival.
“We will also implement a text message reminder for outpatient appointments,” said Ms Deane.
The main entry carpark building will have direct access to three Meade Clinical Centre floors through linking corridors,
which will make it easier for patients attending appointments.
Now, due to construction, many people have to travel long distances to get to their clinic. Waikato Hospital has a
shuttle van/golf cart circulating around the campus to get people to their clinics.
Moving outpatient clinics into Meade Clinical Centre will make it much easier for patients to find the clinic.
“We are also revising signage and wayfinding solutions across the campus to ensure there are clear directions for
visitors.”
Read the latest Meade Clinical Centre newsletter here or download up to date construction photos here.
* Meade Clinical Centre
The $130 million Meade Clinical Centre is the most significant part of Waikato Hospital's building programme and the
biggest hospital project ever seen in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The five-level 32,000m2 building will be parallel to the south side of the hospital’s red corridor and link directly
onto the carpark at three levels.
Most outpatient clinics will be inside along with the interventional suite, same day admissions unit and additional
theatres. The hospital's critical care unit including intensive care and high dependency unit will move into level four.
The scope of work also includes demolition of the Smith Building and refurbishment of two levels in the Waiora Waikato
Centre.
The building will open in three stages from August 2012 with full completion by the end of 2014.
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 365,730
people living in the Waikato DHB region. It has an annual turnover of $1.2 billion and employs more than 6000 people.
Health Waikato is the DHB’s main provider of hospital and health services with an annual budget of more than $701 million and 5238
staff. It has six groups across five hospital sites, three primary birthing units, two continuing care facilities and 20
community bases offering a comprehensive range of primary, secondary and tertiary health services.
A wide range of independent providers deliver other Waikato DHB-funded health services - including primary health,
pharmacies and community laboratories.
ENDS