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Thames birthing unit to be open by Christmas
Waikato District Health Board has received the resource consent it needs to start work on Thames’ new Primary Birthing Unit.
Building Programme project director Ian Wolstencroft said work would get underway shortly although not much action will be seen on the Mary Street site.
“Most of the building will be pre-built off site and then moved onto the location in two parts for final fit out later this year.
“We’re confident that the unit will be completed and open by Christmas,” he said.
The DHB announced in October last year that it would construct the $893,000 unit on Mary Street after a survey found that more than 90 per cent of women would give birth in Thames if there were a new primary birthing facility.
Primary birthing facilities, where only midwifery care is available, are currently inside Thames Hospital in old and converted ward space.
The new unit will provide the Thames-Coromandel community with brand new, modern facilities that have previously only been available in Hamilton or the Bay of Plenty.
Mr Wolstencroft said the purpose built and designed unit will look like a normal house from the outside but will have three bedrooms, three birthing rooms, dedicated breastfeeding rooms and a patient lounge inside. “Each bedroom and birthing room will also have its own ensuite,” he said.
The unit will have the capacity for 200 births per year, more than current capacity and demand.
ENDS
Date: 9 July 2009
Contact: Ashleigh Peek |