Children’s ED construction aims to start by Christmas
Proposed designs for the new Children's Emergency Department have been unveiled this week. The Palmerston North Hospital Foundation, who are funding the project, also announced that they hope to get builders in by Christmas.
The child-friendly space will feature a separate waiting area for children and their whānau, four additional beds, a dedicated treatment room, décor, equipment, furniture, distraction and play equipment. It will provide a more suitable space for tamariki and be separate from the general Emergency Department waiting room.
The designs for the Children’s ED involved many medical consultants, clinicians, and architects working together. Their aim is to ensure the space will be functional, adaptable, and able to properly serve the community for years to come, says the Foundation chair Brendan Duffy.
“Although it’s taken a bit longer than we were expecting, the hospital team - working with the architects - have done a superb job of bringing together the proposed designs.”
The cost of the Children’s ED is approximately $680,000, all of which will be funded by the Foundation. To date, the Foundation has raised $320,000 for the project, including a generous $250,000 gift from an anonymous local benefactor. Continued support from the community will be needed to cover the remaining $360,000, with $180,000 needed to start construction.
Duffy says he’s been humbled by the community support so far, and he’s confident the remaining funds will be raised, so construction can start by Christmas.
“We’d love to see the Children’s ED in full swing in the first half of 2024 if we can. The project has already received an incredible amount of support from the community, which is amazing.”
Duffy says the Foundation will be hosting a fundraising event in November. Its aim is to bring together Palmerston North community leaders and benefactors to raise the additional funds needed to get the project over the line.
“We’ll be hosting an exclusive event at Focal Point Cinema - including an auction and movie screening - to help raise funds for the construction.”
The Children’s ED project is keenly supported by ED nurse practitioner and New Zealand Nurses Organisation workplace delegate Christina Emerson, who says children deserve a better emergency experience at the hospital.
“As a nurse practitioner and as a mum I think about if I had to take my kids to the hospital. Children are often in the waiting room alongside drunk people, abusive people… it’s not very nice.”
The experienced ED nurse is looking forward to having a space purposely built to meet the physical and emotional needs of her smallest patients.
“Everyone’s pretty excited about this project - creating an inviting space that's bright and fun and not so clinical. It's all about enhancing the care we provide to children and their families. It’s easier to build rapport with a calm, happy child and therefore easier to administer treatment.”
