IT integral to new hospital for Wellington children

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

Three thousand data outlets, 200,000 metres of cable and a technology refresh is enabling the latest models of ICT equipment to support the newly opened Wellington Children's Hospital.

Te Wao Nui, which opened on September 30, has 50 inpatient beds and another 101 outpatient beds, and will provide care for babies and children up to the age of 16.

Chief digital officer for Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Capital and Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa district, Martin Catterall, says most the ICT technology in the new building has been refreshed to provide the latest models of equipment to compliment the new build.

"This is about future proofing, making sure new technologies are scalable going forward," he says.

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A new digital communication tool, Vocera, has been implemented to enable staff to communicate more easily and to engage with other staff in what is a much larger building than they previously had. Staff wear the wireless devices around their necks and they are voice and touch activated.

Between 60-70 large screen TVs will be mounted on the walls to entertain the children. A further number of large screen TV’s are being used to display patient/clinical information and ”Capacity at a Glance” type information in the staff write-up rooms.

Catterall says there is extensive wifi across the building for staff and children as well as Sky TV in all of the bedrooms and treatment rooms. A large LED interactive wall in the waiting room has a camera and enables children to interact with various content.

A 'donor display' TV has an animation showing donors and provides the real-time ability to donate and see your name displayed.

Health Minister Andrew Little says the clinical teams looking after children at the hospital will find it easier to collaborate and provide better care.

Te Wao Nui has been built with a $53 million contribution from benefactors Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood, with the Government contributing another $53 million and $10 million being raised by the Wellington Hospitals Foundation.

The Wellington Children's Hospital is one of only five hospitals in the country that performs specialist paediatric surgery. It provides paediatric surgical services for our tamariki and rangatahi, as well as tamariki and rangatahi from Hutt Valley, Wairapapa, Manawatu, Whanganui, Hawkes Bay, Nelson and Marlborough.

Picture:Te Wao Nui
Image credit: photographer Andy Spain


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