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Timaru’s Bidwill Trust Hospital has recorded another record number of admissions this year, continuing a consistent trend of growth.
In a statement general manager Tina Rogers said the hospital had been enjoying a steady growth of admissions each year.
"[Numbers have been] increasing year-on-year, from 2055 in the year ending June 30 2019, to 2687 in the year ending June 30 2024.
"The 2024 figure was up 229 [admissions] from the previous year."
She said Bidwill was noticing increases across all specialties, and from across a wider geographical area.
"People are travelling to have their surgery at Bidwill due to its excellent reputation.
"We consistently get excellent feedback from patients. For example, this feedback from one of our patient survey forms: ‘I would like to express the excellent care from walking in to walking out the door. My nurse was outstanding, extremely professional, respectful, genuine care and thorough explanations. [The anaesthetist] was exceptional with his explanation, care in putting my mind at ease. [He was] very professional and showed true passion about his role’."
The increase in admissions is also creating new employment opportunities in Timaru, with staff numbers at the hospital going up to cater for the growing numbers of patients.
Ms Rogers said there would also be other benefits to the community through the extra income generated by rising numbers of admissions.
"Bidwill is a registered charitable trust and every year we make substantial donations to health-related organisations in our community. These donations are enabled by the continued viability of the hospital’s business.
"Bidwill Trust Hospital is proud to support the South Canterbury community. It has a contract with ACC to undertake the majority of non-urgent surgery resulting from injuries, and it also has a contract to assist the public hospital with some procedures to reduce surgical waiting times."