Unit an extra 'safe haven' for patients at Gisborne Hospital's ED

BLESSING FOR NEW UNIT: From left, Rev Patsy Ngata, Dr Matt Marion, Bre Maude, Dr Paige Hudson, Danna Ching, Jaki Boyl, and Hauora Tairawhiti chief executive Jim Green at yesterday's blessing of the hospital's new Emergency Department annex, Whare Wāhi Mākoha. Picture by Paul Rickard

Whare Wāhi Mākoha, a modular unit intended to extend the capacity of Gisborne Hospital's Emergency Department, was blessed yesterday.

“The unit will offer much-needed space to work safely with Covid-positive and Covid- negative people who need care,” a Hauora Tairāwhiti spokesman said.

“The name Wāhi Mākoha has soothing connotations of providing safe haven. The wording is crafted to accommodate people who have Covid.

“A special thanks to all the staff who have contributed to the design, layout and way of providing care, plus contractors including Peter Dawson Building and Fenn Refrigeration and many others who went over and above to deliver the unit for our community.”

The 12x6-metre annex sits alongside the ambulance bay and has external access into the ED and will expand ED capacity.

The unit can manage six patients. It has three cubicles with a bed, and space to treat three patients who do not need a bed.

It has two air-conditioning units and other utilities to support clinical care.

Patients will spend no more than a few hours in the annex before clinicians decide whether to discharge the person to their home or admit them to the hospital.