Palmerston North’s Pippa Buys, 1, with her Poppa Tim Buys, had several Covid-19 related visits to the hospital’s emergency department, and would have benefited from a dedicated children’s space.
Busy hospital emergency departments full of trauma patients, distressed people and adults under the influence of drugs and alcohol can be a frightening place for children.
And the newly-launched Palmerston North Hospital Foundation has decided to make it unnecessary for sick and injured children to be in such a setting.
The new foundation is raising money to create a dedicated children’s place in the ED in space that will be freed up when the new department additions are opened late this year.
Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) MidCentral interim district director and paediatrician Jeff Brown said the unit, with three to five beds, would make a measurable difference for tamariki and their whānau.
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“As signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child international treaty, all children in Aotearoa have the right to receive healthcare in an environment suitable for both their physical and emotional needs,” he said.
“This dedicated space is an important part of how we can do that.”
The concept had already been put into practice in Waikato, Wellington and Christchurch.
The foundation is chaired by former MidCentral District Health Board chairman Brendan Duffy, mayor Grant Smith, Trieste Te Awe Awe and Vicki Stewart.
Duffy said the project was the first of several the foundation had been set up to deliver, to complement the new healthcare system.
“Our aim is to improve health outcomes for communities in the wider Manawatū-Whanganui, Horowhenua and Tararua regions, as well as those who travel into the region for healthcare.
“This means that our projects will work towards supporting additional health services, amenities, research and training facilities at the hospital.”
Smith said the projects would need backing from the community.
“Our hospital has been serving the wider region for many years, and during that time the actions and generosity of a number of individuals has had a significant impact on health outcomes for our community.
“We want to continue this legacy, encouraging others in our community to get involved in our projects and to help us make positive change.”
There are many ways to support the foundation’s projects, including one-off donations, memorial gifts, bequests and business support.
For more information, contact info@pnhospitalfoundation.co.nz.
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