"Ko nga kuri purepure o Tamaki e kore ngaro i te po"

He mihi aroha atu tenei e te whanau whanui tonu. koia enei ko nga mahi kua oti mo tenei wa anake. Aroha mai mo nga taimaha tonu o nga mahi kei mua tonu i a tatou katoa. Aroha mai. Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.

What is a 'responsive' building design?

It means our processes have enabled a wide range of people to have input into the planning and change processes needed to make our Wairarapa Hospital a reality.

There has been an extensive 'User Group' process, to capture the input of those who now use the new facility. This resulted in a design that takes account of key co-locations, best possible use of natural light and ventilation, privacy and confidentiality, and cultural considerations.

Co-locations

All 'front door' services are co-located for simplicity of operation and convenience of users. Outpatients has Pharmacy and Laboratory on one side, and Imaging on the other. The Emergency Department is right next to Imaging, and also contains the High Dependency Unit and and Acute Assessment Unit. Directly behind that is the Paediatric unit, which also contains the Special Care Baby Unit - right next door to the Maternity Unit.

The Day Proceedure Unit is contained within the Theatre complex, adjacent to the Medical/Surgical ward. The Rehabilitation Unit is situated around an open courtyard with the Allied Health Unit, which includes services like Physio, Occupational Therapy, and Social Work.

Natural light and ventilation

The concept design is based around four open courtyards, making the most of natural light and ventilation.

Privacy and confidentiality

Modern design means that bed spaces, clinic spaces and waiting areas are created with consideration of the patient's need for privacy. Technology means that outpatients can be discretely summoned to their appointments, for example by using vibrating pagers.

Cultural considerations

Wairarapa Hospital has provided significant opportunities for improving the health and disability services we provide to iwi, hapu and whanau.

Wairarapa District Health Board has ensures the new hospital and new and existing services reflect the needs and expectations of the Maori community. Before building evena began, and after the site was blessed, Maui stones were laid to claim, protect and preserve the site for healing, peace and restoration. The paths of tapu have been determined, courtyards have been designed with considerable Maori input, and the whanau unit and family room are centrally located. To be completed is the adjoining cultural centre, including whanau style accommodation for relatives of seriously ill patients.

Some key innovations are:

wards with adequate space to accommodate whanau visiting ill members, including spaces close to critical care areas
the mana/tapu of all patients are protected through the specially-designed accessways to wards and theatres that have minimum contact with public areas
where death does occur, appropriate pathways for tupapaku corridors, lifts, hearse bays and so on will minimise violation of mana/tapu. This design, together with appropriate management practices, will reduce the length of time for tupapaku and whanau to remain in the hospital system ensuring a faster transfer to marae or elsewhere.
on occasions when tupapaku are held in the hospital, we have provided a whanau space with quiet facilities for karakia and other spiritual practices adjacent to the viewing room and chapel.

Click here to view progress and pictures through the InSite newsletter

Disclaimer