The opening marks the completion of the second stage of the $9.3m redevelopment that includes a new Emergency Department (ED) and refurbished outpatient clinic facilities.
The ED extension houses nine beds (including the existing seven), two resuscitation bays, a reception, waiting area, triage and consultation areas, a medical students' training room, plaster bay, decontamination area and an isolation room.
A new Siemens Go Top 128 slice scanner (CT scanner) was installed as part of the redevelopment, funded through donations led by the Lakes District Hospital Foundation. It is only the second of its type to be installed in New Zealand and the first in a public hospital.
The CT scanner has already performed 529 scans since it started operating in June. Access to this
service has vastly reduced patient travel time and sped up diagnosis and treatment of a range of
conditions including spinal and head injuries, cancer and stroke.
Commissioner Kathy Grant says the redeveloped facility ensures that Queenstown has a hospital that is fit for purpose and better placed to address the health needs of the growing population of the area in the medium term.
For other Better Health stories for November see:
For other Better Health stories for November see:
