Prime Minister to Open South Aucklands First Private Hospital
Friday 19 June 2009, 11:44AM
By Ormiston Hospital
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South Auckland’s first private hospital, Ormiston Hospital, will be officially opened by Prime Minister John Key on Saturday 20 June. Mr Key will be joined by Mayor of Manukau City Len Brown and Counties Manukau District Health Board Chairman Gregor Coster. Located on Ormiston Road, near fast-growing Botany and other eastern suburbs, the hospital will serve patients from Counties Manukau and as far away as Waikato and the Coromandel.
The opening is a significant milestone in meeting the growing healthcare needs of South Auckland and Counties Manukau. “No longer will people from one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions have to travel to receive the highest quality private healthcare,” says Ormiston Hospital Chairman David Clarke.
“Ormiston Hospital has been purpose-built so patients from Counties Manukau and the surrounding regions can have a choice for their private healthcare. It is currently the only private surgical hospital between Greenlane and Hamilton.”
The $35 million hospital will cater for day-stay, short-stay and in-patient procedures, including general surgery, endoscopy, plastics, gynaecology, urology, oral and eye surgery, and ear, nose and throat surgery. Its state-of-the-art equipment and facilities include 32 inpatient beds, six operating theatres, including an endoscopy suite and a sterilisation unit designed to new European standards.
The hospital features digital operating theatres, where consultants can control equipment and view patient information from touch screen panels. Ormiston Hospital also has rooms that let parents and family stay overnight with patients.
The hospital management worked closely with developer James An of Griffin Property on the purpose-built facility. The building incorporates leading-edge hospital design principles such as smooth patient flows that reduce waiting times and protect sterile equipment. High ceilings, open spaces and New Zealand artwork help create a comfortable experience for patients.
The facility will act as a community healthcare hub, providing a radiology service, pharmacy, dentist, orthodontist and orthopaedic practice as well as a cafe on site.
The local medical community has been very supportive, with over 40 local surgeons taking ownership stakes in the hospital, along with other private investors and Southern Cross Hospitals Limited.