August 11, 2008

Ward Merger

The West Coast DHB at Grey Base Hospital will, from today, be merging the medical and surgical wards, as well as relocating the paediatrics unit for a period of up to two months.

This has come about due to unforeseeable sick leave on top of national and international nursing shortages in particular areas. We have matched our acute patient requirements to our available nursing resources in a way that maintains coverage in all clinical areas.

• Morice Ward medical patients will move to Barclay Ward to make a combined 26 bed unit.
• Coronary Care Unit (CCU) will remain in its current location and be staffed by two nurses.
• Parfitt paediatric unit will relocate adjacent to CCU.
• Emergency Department will also have 2 over-flow beds to hold patients in the event of bed block and to give time for the wards to reorganise.

At this stage it is not proposed to reduce service coverage or cut any elective surgery booked for the next three weeks, however acute admission numbers on any given day may influence that decision.

All efforts have been made to recruit sufficient staff and this will continue.

For more information please contact

Bryan Jamieson
Community Liaison Officer
West Coast DHB
PO Box 387
Greymouth 7840
Phone (DDI): (03) 769-7665
Mobile: 027 245-9595
Email: