8 | Mercy Hospital: Naylor Love T T Karen Phelps Expansion adds to surgical capacity The new 64-square-metre theatre, part of a larger 180-square-metre extension, represents the culmination of a carefully orchestrated 10year strategy to modernise and grow the hospital’s infrastructure. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Dunedin’s Mercy Hospital celebrated a significant milestone in July with the opening of its ninth operating theatre, marking the completion of a decade-long development plan aimed at expanding the healthcare facility’s capacity and services. The new 64-square-metre theatre, part of a larger 180-square-metre extension, represents the culmination of a carefully orchestrated 10-year strategy to modernise and grow the hospital’s infrastructure. “This is quite a milestone for us,” says Richard Whitney, CEO of Mercy Hospital. “It’s the final step in a very carefully thought out and implemented plan that we’ve been working on for many years.” The $7.5 million project, which took nine months to complete, is set to increase Mercy Hospital’s surgical capacity by 20%, allowing the facility to perform up to 10,000 surgeries annually, up from its previous 8,000. Richard explained that this expansion is in response to growing healthcare demands from both the public and private sectors. “We are building capacity in response to current and future demand increases,” he says. “This includes demand that is not satisfied through the public system, as well as the ever-increasing healthcare needs of a growing and aging population.” The new theatre boasts state-of-the-art equipment and a view of outdoor greenery - important for staff well being, particularly during lengthy procedures that can last up to 12 hours. In addition to the new operating room, the expansion project included several other improvements to support higher patient numbers and enhance the working environment for hospital staff. These additions comprise an expanded theatre staff tearoom, two extra recovery beds, new offices with natural light, a small library and educational area, and a new female changing room. The project was not without its challenges, particularly given the sensitive nature of constructing within an active hospital environment. Richard says it was a delicate balance to manage the needs of both the construction zone and the operating theatre area. Strategies to mitigate these challenges included halting construction at times to ensure staff and patient well being, scheduling noisy work outside operating hours and utilizing prefabrication techniques where possible. Local companies played a crucial role in bringing the project to fruition. The team included lead architect Regan Hall from McCoyWixon, project manager Sam Cadden from Logic Group, and main contractor Naylor Love, supported by various local subcontractors. While the new theatre marks the end of the current development plan, Richard makes it clear that Mercy Hospital’s growth and improvement efforts are far from over. “You can’t stand still in healthcare. There will be another ten-year plan developed and the hospital has already begun an upgrade of the Marinoto Clinic building, which accommodates consulting suites.” Richard says that expanding physical infrastructure is only part of the equation. The hospital is also focusing on workforce development and innovative service delivery to meet future healthcare challenges. “Workforce is an equal challenge,” Richard said. “We’re looking at not only facility capacity but attracting and retaining a skilled workforce and being innovative in our service delivery to ease demand while creating alternative treatment options.” As a non-profit organization with charitable status, Mercy Hospital remains committed to its community-focused mission and outreach. Mercy’s charitable outreach programme sees it partner with local organisations to support the delivery of their programmes in the community, offer surgical fees relief and partner with local schools to provide tuition for at risk students. Richard says the increased capacity of the hospital surgical throughput will enhance the hospital’s ability to support its charitable outreach programme. “If our capacity increases, our ability to support the wider community increases,” he says. As Mercy Hospital celebrated its 88th anniversary on July 16, Richard says the new operating theatre stands as a testament to the institution’s on-going commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services to the Otago and Southland communities. “With its expanded capacity and modern facilities, Mercy Hospital is well-positioned to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the region for years to come.” Electric | Communications Solar | Building Compliance 03 455 1039 | aoteaelectric.co.nz Aotea Electric Southern is proud to be associatedwith MercyHospital We are pleased to have provided structural engineering services for theMercyHospital project Proud to share 117 years of superior Cost Management and Quantity Surveying history with Mercy Hospital and the Construction Industry Level 2, 193 Princes Street, Dunedin ● Ph. 03 477 0092 www.cegeorge.co.nz
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