New wing reaches stage two
The Pohlen Foundation Trust is working on the second of four stages in what can only be referred to as its most ambitious project to date; that of fundraising for a new wing for Pohlen Hospital.
The new wing will consist of six rooms with ensuites.
Upon completion Pohlen Hospital will have a total of 39 beds.
The four stages combined are referred to as the New Wing Project. The New Wing project includes: Infrastructure upgrades required prior to the actual construction of a new wing. This includes upgrading both the hot water system and electrical utility. This work has been completed.
Modifications, upgrade and refurbishment of the maternity facility. This is scheduled for winter 2012.
The expansion and refurbishment of the existing hospital patients’ lounge, the hospital kitchen and staff room.
The addition of the new wing and associated equipment, furnishings, and decorating costs.
Why does the
hospital need a new wing? It simply does not have enough beds especially when meeting the demands of an ageing community, although the new wing will be deemed a general ward.
Therefore the foundation’s priority during 2012 will be fundraising for the maternity facility fit- out costs and, towards the end of the year, begin working on funds for stage three; the enlarging and refurbishment of the patients’ lounge.
The maternity contract the hospital has with Waikato District Health Board and the subsequent service provided to the community is a core income stream for Pohlen Hospital. It is in stakeholders’ interests that the facility and service provided are of the highest quality possible.
The maternity facility was built in 1990 and extended and refurbished in 1998.
The objectives modifications are:
to have a birthing facility that caters for the needs of our community as now demanded; this being an appealing and homely environment;
to incorporate changes that have occurred in birthing best practice since the unit was established; and
a more efficient use of space for the delivery of our maternity service.
On average 200 mothers either birth or receive post-natal care annually in Pohlen Maternity.
The maternity service Pohlen provides to the community makes an enormous difference to families and birthing mothers. They are in their own community, near family and supported by their loved ones.
The reality is that the Pohlen Foundation is working hard to raise these funds for the capital works and the fitout of this very large project.
Just recently the foundation received some generous donations from families in the district.
The foundation is delighted by this and appreciates the gesture enormously.
Combined, these donations impact significantly on our targets for each sub project as outlined above.
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The end result is that everyone in the community wins with a hospital that truly caters for the needs of the community in years to come, with special focus on older folk. Operatunity, Thursday, March 8, 10am to 11.30am on the back lawn of the hospital.
Pohlen won this prize at a New Zealand Aged Care Association conference and would like to share it with the community.
It is free and includes four singers and a pianist presenting a series of modern, classical, serious and fun music in Operatunity style.