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New Waikato Hospital corridor to open in JanuaryVisitors to Waikato Hospital can expect to take a slightly different route when the new temporary red corridor Although named temporary, the corridor will be the main route for all patients, visitors and staff for at least four years while construction of Waikato Clinical Centre gets underway. The well-known existing red corridor will close during this time because of its close proximity to the construction and demolition site. Building Programme project director Ian Wolstencroft said the temporary corridor would still allow everyone to get where they needed to go. “Access to all patient areas of the hospital will of course remain but it will be quite a change for those who are “Updated signage will point everyone in the right direction and our volunteers will be on-hand to help visitors find their way,” he said. Mr Wolstencroft also encourages visitors to take advantage of the free hospital shuttle service. The main shuttle stop is outside level B5 of the carpark building – the new main entrance in the centre of the hospital campus - or visitors can ask a staff member or volunteer to call one for them. The temporary red corridor cost $2.6 million to build and is part of the pre-construction works for the Waikato Clinical Centre. Other works include demolition, relocating staff and three smaller temporary corridors. “The current red corridor is the backbone of the hospital but it is too close to the construction site to remain open. “The new corridor will allow the hospital to continue to function efficiently and ensure the utmost safety of everyone inside,” Mr Wolstencroft said. The corridor is a similar distance and width to the existing corridor and has red vinyl underfoot. Demolition on the Waikato Clinical Centre site will start in February and construction begins shortly after. The five-level centre will open in three stages from March 2012 and house new facilities for: The Waikato Clinical Centre was part of the original plans for Waikato DHB’s SCR project, approved in 2004. It is in addition to the already completed carpark building, Newborn Intensive Care Unit, refurbished Delivery Suite and the $60 million Acute Services and Emergency Department currently underway. For more information about the SCR project visit www.waikatodhb.govt.nz/SCR. ENDS The photos above are available in high-resolution from the photo library, search "temp red corridor". Caption details: Ian Wolstencroft (left), Eddie Pettley and Kate Foster from the SCR project team inside the temporary red corridor Contact: Ashleigh Peek |
opens in January.
familiar with the current corridor so we have systems in place to help.