Acute Services

In our new Wairarapa Hospital, the Acute Services Unit has has been designed to create the most efficient and pleasant environment for patients, staff and visitors. Acute Services includes the Emergency Department, the Acute Assessment Unit, and the High Dependency Unit.

The Acute Services unit is adjacent to the paediatric inpatient unit in recognition of the often acute and rapidly changing health status of young children.

It is also adjacent to the Imaging Department, so transfers for CT, ultrasound, fluoroscopy or plain x-ray (all digital—we also use teleradiology) is rapid and seamless.

Wairarapa DHB is participating in the 2008 roll-out of Health TV in their ED and Outpatient waiting rooms.

Emergency Department

Wairarapa Hospital has a 24 hour emergency department. We are one of the few DHBs in the country to consistently meet the national guidelines for triage of patients presenting to be seen.

The ambulance entrance is adjacent to the two resuscitation cubicles, and contains a re-stocking and decontamination area. The helipad for Life Flight retrieval helicopters is adjacent to the ambulance entrance.

The ED has six treatment cubicles, and the six-bed Acute Assessment Unit (AAU) is an integral part of the department. This unit enables staff to monitor and treat patients who are unlikely to need admission to hospital, but who may need to be observed for up to 18 hours to gauge the effectiveness of any intervention.

The five bed High Dependency Unit  is the final part of the Acute Services Department, accepting patients from both the ED and the Medical/Surgical ward or operating theatre as required.