Hawke's Bay Hospital aware of air conditioning issues in summer heat

Built in the 1960s the ward block at Hawke's Bay Hospital was not designed to have air conditioning, which would cost $3 million to install. Photo / Warren Buckland

This year's record-breaking summer temperatures have put the heat on Hawke's Bay Hospital where a lack of air conditioning in the main ward has proved a challenge.

Both patients and staff had contacted Hawke's Bay Today in the last two weeks complaining about the situation.

"Global warming is sending temperatures through the roof. We could all see the temperatures starting to rise each year. And we could all see nothing being done to address the problem," a staff member who did not want to be named said.

In a text to the editor a patient who had spent a recent weekend at hospital said: "Somebody ought to look into how hot it gets there. If prisons or classrooms got that hot, there would be outrage. I feel for the poor nurses as well."

Hawke's Bay DHB chief executive Kevin Snee said they were aware of the problem, especially in light of this year's exceptionally hot summer, and were considering how to alleviate it.

He said the ward building was built without air conditioning in the 60s and its low ceilings meant retro-fitting air conditioning would be very expensive.

"There is a technical problem putting air conditioning in the existing block and it would cost over $3 million.

"The question is do we spend $3 million on air conditioning the building, which in not too many years will be knocked down or repurposed?"

Such decisions were at the heart of the Clinical Services Plan, a strategy for the next 10 to 20 years, being prepared to go out to consultation in September this year.

This would drive infrastructure planning and was likely to recommend redesigning quite a bit of the hospital site, including the ward block, which could cost more than $150 million, Dr Snee said.

"In the short term we know we have a problem, we work here and we see it all the time.

"We have looked at a number of different options - the obvious answer is to put in some portable air conditioning but there's a significant health and safety and fire risk with that.

"We will continue to look at it as a possibility though," he said.

They were also considering shading on windows and fans.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation Hawke's Bay organiser Sue Wolland said she spent time at the hospital last week, and saw that efforts were being made for staff and patient comfort.

"They did talk about fans and improving airflow, and a review of the staff uniform to a fabric more appropriate for the heat is under discussion in the nurses forum."

She said ice-blocks were also being distributed to staff while she was there.

One of the first workshops for the Clinical Services Plan would be held in April, focused on the future of the hospital, and expectations of staff and patients in the years ahead.

"We have to make sure our size is right for the growing and ageing population, and we also need to invest in community healthcare to meet community expectations of the service they receive," said Dr Snee.