Hospitals supersize for obese patients

Northland Health is buying super-sized beds, wheelchairs, special commodes and hoists as the number of obese patients grows.

Staff regularly have to care for patients who weigh around 180kg. One current patient weighs 206kg.

Northland Health communications manager Alison Lees said the increasing weight of patients was causing problems with care and transportation.

The health board is planning to buy two bariatric beds (beds for the obese) capable of bearing up to 350kg.

The beds cost nearly $15,000 each, compared with $2600 for a standard ward bed that is capable of holding up to 200kg. An average wheelchair cost around $1200 compared with $3000 for a bariatric wheelchair that could bear weights of more than 200kg.

One bed will be used at Whangarei Hospital and the other will go to Kaitaia Hospital.

"We have rented or leased these heavyweight beds as required in the past but, as we have been requiring them more often of late, the board has decided to buy two," Ms Lees said.

The board was also investigating buying a hoist capable of lifting up to 350kgs.

Wheelchair services manager Cherry Holliday said there had been a steady increase in the weight of patients over the past 10 years.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)