New Children’s Emergency Department prepares to open doors

The Palmerston North Hospital Foundation is celebrating the completion of its first community funded project, following the blessing of the $700,000 Children’s Emergency Department at Palmerston North Hospital.

The dedicated space for children and their whānau is currently undergoing commissioning and was celebrated during a formal opening for supporters and Hospital staff today. 

Chair of the Palmerston North Hospital Foundation, Brendan Duffy, says it’s a great milestone for the Foundation, and a wonderful asset for the community.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without our donors digging deep to create this space for tamariki and whanāu.

“The project was fully funded by over 180 individuals, families, businesses and trusts, which is just magic,” he says.

The Children’s ED is a dedicated area for children and their whānau, providing an additional five beds, including a procedure room, and a separate waiting area.

It includes a kitchenette, baby-changing facilities, toys, child-friendly decor and a range of furniture and distraction tools to cater for a range of developmental stages, disabilities, illnesses and injuries. 

This specially designed space is an important part of providing the right urgent medical care for children, away from the trauma, noise and at times frightening setting of the general Emergency Department.

Sir Patrick Higgins and family have been significant benefactors to this project from the beginning.

Other key project supporters include the Horowhenua New Zealand Trust, Rotary Club of Awapuni, Stewart’s Mitre 10 MEGA Palmerston North, Team dh, Alexander Construction and the Lions Club of Middle Districts.