Triage area to be expanded

Work begins today to expand the capacity of the triage area of Whangarei Hospital's Emergency Department (right).

Work to expand the capacity of the triage area at Whangarei Hospital's Emergency Department starts today after feedback from users raised the need for more privacy.

Patient feedback raised the need for increased privacy when presenting and throughout the triage (assessment) process.

This and other feedback has seen plans develop for a reconfiguration of the ED.

The project involves reconfiguring the main entrance to add four additional triage bays and improve flow through the busy service, providing improved privacy for patients and reducing waiting times.

Northland DHB general manager, medicine, health of older people, emergency & clinical support, Neil Beney, said the current layout is not ideal, and staff have also raised the need for more space to triage patients.

"ED is the first point of contact with many of our patients, so having an appropriate space to do this well is very important," Mr Beney said.

Works will be completed in stages to allow the department to remain open throughout the project with construction expected to be completed by December 23.

Full project information, including regular updates, is available via http://redevelopment.northlanddhb.org.nz/