Hospital joy - a burger and a room

By AIDEN TAIPETI

Ask Fusi Vaenuku why she likes Starship's new children's heart ward and you might be surprised.

Impressive new gadgets and amazing city views don't rate for the 9-year-old girl but the on-site McDonald's does - even though she has to watch her salt and fat intake.

Fusi, who has been in hospital for a month, is recovering from a valve operation for an enlarged heart.

She is one of about 50 patients welcomed by Health Minister Annette King yesterday after their move into Auckland City Hospital's new cardiac wards from Green Lane Hospital.

Apart from burgers, Fusi likes having a room to herself, complete with Christmas tree.

"At the other place we had to share."

The minister spoke to a handful of patients, including Fusi, and spent about an hour looking around the new wards.

All Green Lane wards have now transferred to the Grafton site in the second stage of the changeover to Auckland City Hospital.

Facilities at Green Lane will now be used for out-patient clinics and some day-surgery procedures.

The last hospital to move to the Auckland site is National Women's, due to shift by May next year.