New Hagley Outpatients officially opened

New Hagley Outpatients officially opened

A significant first step towards restoring Christchurch Hospital’s capacity became official today.

Associate Minister of Health, Hon. Jo Goodhew officially opened Hagley Outpatients, which has been built on the former Hagley Hostel Nurses’ Home site next to Christchurch Women’s Hospital.

David Meates, Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) chief executive says Hagley Outpatients has been designed as a temporary solution to help relieve the physical constraints facing the Canterbury Health System following the earthquakes. Mr Meates says the new Hagley Outpatients has been completed in 141 days (building started January 9, 2012); which is testament to the ‘can do’ attitude of CDHB staff and our contractors.

“While this has been built as a temporary solution, the patient environment is very professional, and is a credit to everyone involved,” he says.

Mr Meates says outpatients plays a crucial role connecting patients with health professionals. Moving this service from the Parkside block frees up space at Christchurch Hospital to allow the construction of a new Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU).

The existing AMAU will move from Level One in the Riverside Block to the old Outpatients site on the ground floor of Christchurch Hospital in Parkside West, and the space where AMAU was will revert to a General Medicine ward. A more permanent home for outpatients is required as part of the facility redevelopment plans for Christchurch Hospital campus.

“That’s why we have built the building in modules so that in the future it could be picked up and moved to another site if required,” Mr Meates says.

ENDS

Background

•The February 22 earthquake resulted in the loss of over 100 beds at Christchurch Hospital.

•Outpatient clinics will be held on the ground floor of the new two storey building, and there will be space for 100 staff on the top floor. Most of the new space will be used to decant staff from Christchurch Hospital so that repairs can be undertaken and additional clinical wards can be made available.

•As well as donating the majority of the new building’s 70 pieces of artwork, Christchurch Hospital Volunteers also provided $50,000 for patient seating.

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