SCDHB

Statement from Incident Controller Christine Nolan –

Patient Movements

The Timaru Hospital Emergency Department is currently busy. On top of the usual number of patients normally admitted each day, 12 additional patients and their families have arrived at the Timaru Hospital Emergency Department from Christchurch needing medical help. One of those patients has been admitted to hospital. The rest have been treated and discharged.

We have received notice that six adults and two babies are being transferred to Timaru Hospital from Christchurch today. Most are South Canterbury people who were in Christchurch Hospital before the earthquake hit and are being returned to South Canterbury.

In addition to this, one disabled patient has been transferred from a rehabilitation facility in Christchurch to Talbot Park in Timaru.

We are still awaiting instructions regarding the transfer of aged care patients to rest homes in South Canterbury.

Outpatient Appointments/Elective Surgery/Day Patient Surgery

All appointments and surgeries will go ahead as planned at Timaru Hospital tomorrow. Patients who have appointments at the hospital tomorrow are asked to turn up as planned, or phone the number on their appointment letter and let us know if they cannot attend.

We are cautiously continuing with our normal activity on the basis that we have reserved plenty of beds to assist with transfers from Christchurch or to admit people who arrive with an injury or medical condition from Canterbury.

Please note this is still a rapidly-evolving situation and could change at any time, especially if there is a sudden increase in emergency patients needing immediate treatment. We ask patients to be tolerant if their appointment is postponed at the last moment.

No more updates will be sent out today.

Arlene Goss

Communications Manager, South Canterbury District Health Board

Private Bag 911, Timaru

Ph: 03 687 2395, Fax: 03 688 0238, Mobile:  027 276 4259