Horowhenua New Zealand Trust backs Children’s ED project to help Horowhenua families.
The Horowhenua New Zealand Trust has pledged $50,000 towards a Children’s Emergency Department within Palmerston North Hospital to support Horowhenua families seeking urgent medical care.
Palmerston North Hospital is the main hospital for Horowhenua residents, providing 24-hour emergency care for Horowhenua families. A dedicated Emergency Department (ED) for children will be built next year within the existing footprint of the Palmerston North Hospital. It will provide a separate waiting and treatment area for children, designed to meet their physical and emotional needs.
Palmerston North Hospital Foundation chair, and former Horowhenua District Council Mayor, Brendan Duffy says that he hopes the Horowhenua New Zealand Trust’s support will encourage other organisations from around the region to donate to the project.
“Currently, children in ED often have to wait alongside major trauma patients and those who are significantly influenced by drugs and alcohol. This can be noisy, busy and sometimes frightening for children.
“It’s heartening to have the support of the Horowhenua New Zealand Trust who recognise the regional benefit this project will deliver and the difference it will make for thousands of families who use the hospital each year.”
Horowhenua New Zealand Trust trustee Larry Elison says the proposed new space will be of enormous benefit to Horowhenua families.
“This space will make a real difference to Horowhenua families seeking care at the Hospital, with specialised equipment to cater for a range of developmental stages, disabilities, illnesses and injuries.
“As a region, we are thrilled to be a major sponsor of this project.”
Fellow Horowhenua New Zealand Trust trustee Te-Aroha Jennings says having a suitable environment for children in ED is especially important for families who are not based in Palmerston North.
“As a parent of young children this project really resonates with me. In my experience it's usually late at night or on the weekend when you have to take your child to ED, and if you have other children, you’ve probably had to leave your partner or support person home with them.
“Heading into Palmerston North from Horowhenua, we often don’t have that local support. This project provides a safe, whānau-focused space for our Horowhenua families, away from home.”
The Horowhenua New Zealand Trust is a not-for-profit organisation established to improve economic and social opportunities for the people of Horowhenua.
The Children’s Emergency Department is the first fundraising project launched by the Palmerston North Hospital Foundation, an independent charitable trust working to improve health outcomes for communities in the Manawatū-Whanganui, Horowhenua and Tararua regions. The new Children’s ED space will include additional bed capacity and feature décor, equipment, furniture and play equipment in an environment suitable for children.
