Canterbury DHB Tuesday 10 July 2012, 4:30PM
Media release from Canterbury DHB
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.