Kia ora everyone
Winter has been very busy for all our services, but we are coping.
Regionally, there’s been very good co-operation and co-ordination, leading to good patient outcomes.
You’ll likely have seen in the news the stories about “ramping” at some hospitals nationally – that’s the term used to describe the process of ambulances having to wait to admit patients.
Thankfully, we have by and large managed to avoid this at Middlemore.
As always, we encourage everyone to leave our Emergency Department clear for emergencies.
I am very pleased to note some exciting trends in our services, which you will be hearing more about soon.
I especially want to mention the Podiatry Team at the SuperClinic, who are achieving great results in treating patients.
The clinic now has the capacity to see our Priority One patients on time, and the attendance rate for first specialist appointments has gone from 18% an impressive 100%.
You’ll also be hearing soon about our wonderful Family Liaison nurses who are guiding whanaau through the difficult journeys in The Kidz First Neonatal Unit.
And we’ve just recognised the fine work of our theatre teams and support services who are running extra theatres at weekends to make important inroads into the surgical waiting lists.
Please stay safe and well for the rest of the season!
Ngaa mihi nui
Dr Andrew Connolly
Chief Medical Officer
Counties Manukau Health