Media Release
Date: 3 October 2014
Waikids Surgical Ward Blessing Marks End of Era
It has taken many years but finally all Waikids surgical services are in the same ward close to Waikato Hospital’s other
critical care services but in the same building as the hospital’s paediatric services.
The newly refurbished Ward E4 Waikids Surgery was blessed this afternoon (Friday 3 October) which marks the end of
Waikato DHB’s 10-year $500m building programme.
It was an emotional ceremony for Jan Adams, who has lived and breathed the building programme for every one of those
years, as it was her last day as chief operating officer. From Monday, she takes up a job elsewhere with the DHB as
primary care strategic liaison.
In her speech, Mrs Adams said Waikids staff and patients had undergone several moves during that time.
“Finally the day’s arrived and all Waikids are home together.
“I’m so relieved the building programme is over.
“It is a great time for me to tick it off and time for me to move on to new challenges that I hope doesn’t take another
eight years.
“It’s over and out from me.”
Clinical unit leader Dr Dave Graham said Waikids E4 is where children will come before and after their surgical
procedures.
“The staff provide continuous and map around care for children.
“Being in a hospital is not a natural place.
“The heart of (this ward) is the staff and families and children who come through here.”
Board member Dr Clyde Wade, a cardiologist at the hospital, praised the work of two people involved in the building
programme. The first was building programme director Ian Wolstencroft and the second was Mrs Adams.
“This whole project has touched every part of this organisation. Every bit of this place has been turned on its head.”
At the same time, the hospital had increased its throughput. In the 10 years since the building programme started,
Waikato Hospital was seeing 1000 more patients every month.
He saluted Mrs Adams’ leadership.
“She juggled the building programme with production planning and did it with humour and great grace.
“You can be incredibly proud of the facilities we have and you will always be part of it.”
Originally, the children’s surgical services were split across a number of adult services including orthopaedics, ear,
nose and throat and as a children’s ward in the Smith Building.
The Smith Building came down early last year to make way for stage 3 of the Meade Clinical Centre and in the interim,
they occupied level 7 of the Elizabeth Rothwell Building.
On Monday 13 October, the ward moves to level 4 of Elizabeth Rothwell Building while E7 stays as a potential winter ward
with the rest used by the Waikids play specialists who provide a play and recreation programme helping children to cope
during their stay in hospital.