New hospital wing allows long-term care

Celebrating at yesterday's grand opening were mayor Steve Chadwick, left, clinical nurse manager Aneta Nawainilaga, resident Wai Babbington, business and quality manager Su Robins and 104-year-old resident Pat Thompson. Photo / Ben Fraser

A new hospital wing at Makoha Rest Home & Hospital will mean residents no longer have to move away when they need a higher level of care.

The hospital wing was officially opened yesterday providing 10 beds with around-the-clock care from registered nurses and allowing those at the rest home to continue living there even when their health deteriorates.

Business and quality manager Su Robins said the opening of the hospital wing was a major step forward for the rest home, following on from its official opening a year ago.

Mrs Robins said the initial plan was to open a dementia unit, but they decided the hospital wing was a better fit as the location didn't allow for the secure unit.

"It means if the level of care changes to a more higher level they don't need to move."

She said staff got to know residents and their families over time, and residents became familiar with the staff, so having to move them so they could receive the higher level of care was tough.

"It keeps the continuity and knowing the residents as a person."

Mrs Robins said not all rest home residents eventually needed the hospital level of care, but nationwide about 20 to 25 per cent required the transition.

To cater for the new wing, they employed five registered nurses last year.

Mrs Robins said one of the best aspects of Makoha was that it was small enough to develop those personal relationships.

The new hospital wing so far has three beds occupied.