Whakatāne Hospital facts for kids

Whakatāne Hospital is a public hospital located in the town of Whakatāne, New Zealand. It serves the people living in the Eastern Bay of Plenty area. The hospital is managed by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board, which is part of New Zealand's government-funded healthcare system.

History of the Hospital

The idea for a new hospital in Whakatāne first came about in 1919. Construction began in 1921, and the Whakatāne District Hospital officially opened its doors on September 13, 1923.

When it first opened, the hospital was a small complex. It had separate areas, called wards, for men, women, and children. It also had an operating theatre for surgeries, a pharmacy for medicines, and an X-ray machine to see inside the body.

Growing Over the Years

As the town grew, so did the hospital. In 1927, it added a laboratory for tests and special rooms for doctors who treat ear, nose, and throat problems.

Over the next few decades, new buildings were added to provide more space and better care.

• The Dawson Block opened in 1963.
• The Godfrey Santon Block, a five-story building, opened in 1974. This building became the home of the hospital's Emergency Department.

A Major Upgrade

A huge $64 million redevelopment project, called Project Waka, gave the hospital a modern update. The project involved fixing up some of the older buildings and constructing a brand-new one.

As part of the upgrade, the helipad was moved, and the Outpatient Department was refurbished. The new main building now holds the Emergency Department, patient rooms, an Acute Patients Unit, and areas for heart care and radiology. The project also created a lovely central courtyard with gardens, a cafe, and a playground for children.

What's Inside the Hospital?

Whakatāne Hospital has many different departments to care for patients.

• Emergency Department: For people who need medical help right away.
• Maternity Ward: A special place where mothers give birth to their babies.
• Clinical School: Where future doctors and nurses can learn.
• Mental Health Unit: Provides support for people with mental health challenges.
• Maori Health Unit: Offers healthcare services that respect Māori culture and traditions.
• Cancer Centre: A place where patients receive treatment for cancer.
• Rehabilitation Centre: Helps people recover from injuries or illnesses with treatments like physiotherapy.

The hospital also has a helipad (landing spot for helicopters) with the code NZJF, which allows patients to be flown in for urgent care.

How the Hospital Helps People

The hospital provides a wide variety of services to the community. Doctors and nurses offer medical and surgical care for adults and children. There are also special services for mothers and babies.

Patients can get help from many different health experts. These include therapists who help with rehabilitation, speech, and movement. The hospital also has nurses who visit people in their homes to provide care.