Media release from Waikato DHB

The number of people receiving surgery at Waikato Hospital is set to rise with the opening of a new Elective Short Stay Surgical Unit on Monday.

Based in Ward 4, Menzies Building, the 14-bed unit will provide care for patients who have undergone elective (non urgent) surgery and require less than 72 hours of postoperative care.

Previously, these patients would have returned to the speciality ward of their surgery.

Health Waikato chief operating officer Jan Adams said the unit would free up beds and improve the service for patients.

"It will make a huge difference to the patients who are only coming for a short stay.

"Providing them with care in a non-acute environment will ensure timely access to treatment and help to decrease their length of stay."

Internationally, short stay surgical units assist in meeting key performance indicators, improving patient experience and utilising capacity.

Waikato DHB is required to complete an extra 4000 elective surgeries every year to meet the national health target.

Mrs Adams said the unit will improve efficiency and increase productivity.

"The unit will maximise bed utilisation in the hospital, resulting in more people receiving more non urgent elective surgery, and allowing those beds they previously occupied in a ward to be given to another patient.

"It will also reduce our reliance on outsourced facilities, saving money for the DHB so it can be spent in other areas of importance," she said.

The unit will be open Monday - Saturday, in line with the elective surgical rosters.