Lakeview Cardiology Centre impresses on opening
A state-of-the-art, $8.5 million facility now stands at the heart of Waitemata DHB’s cardiology service.
The new Lakeview Cardiology Centre at North Shore Hospital was officially opened on October 31.
The 25-bed facility brings a coronary care unit for patients with more serious conditions, a step-down unit for recovering patients and those with less serious conditions, a cardiology ward and two cardiac catheterisation laboratories (cath labs) together in one place (see boxes).
Waitemata DHB chief executive Dr Dale Bramley says he is exceptionally proud of the development and the people who staff it.
“It was only four years ago that we opened the first cath lab and now we are doubling our capacity,” he says. “It is great to see this centre, and all it means to our community, come to fruition.”
The extra cath lab will mean shorter patient waits for procedures such as coronary angiograms, stents and pacemaker implants and, often, shorter hospital stays. When the second cath lab opens in January up to 14 procedures a day will be possible, compared with six to nine now.
It also has a Siemens Zeego cath lab imaging system – the first of its kind in New Zealand.
Cardiology clinical director Tony Scott says the system means larger areas of the body, and larger patients, can be imaged more easily.
Around 100 staff work in the Lakeview Cardiology Centre, which also offers 24/7 specialist cardiology advice for doctors working in other areas of North Shore Hospital, at Waitakere Hospital, and in the community.
Healing touches of nature
As far back as ancient Egypt, gardens were planted with particular health outcomes in mind.
Since 2002, North Shore Hospital has also had a growing number of healing gardens.
For example, the Mediterranean garden is planted with olives, herbs and citrus fruit. But what’s underfoot is just as important.
“In this garden, recovering patients learn to walk, negotiate ramps, steps, corners, gates and different pavement surfaces using their mobility devices,” says Jane Hunter, director of the North Shore Hospital Foundation.
On the second floor roof, between postnatal and the special care baby unit (SCBU) there is an oasis garden – designed for new mothers, and fathers, who need somewhere calm and peaceful.
The latest garden is the “garden 4 health”, beside the diabetes centre, where patients can learn how to grow their own fresh produce.
“When we are talking to patients about healthy eating we say to them ‘If you want some vegetables, we have some you can take home for free,” says diabetes dietitian Hamish Johnstone.
Now with eight healing gardens, North Shore Hospital has the largest healing gardens programme of any DHB.
The gardens have all been funded by community groups and businesses, ranging from the Lions to Rotary Clubs and Morris and James Potteries. The congregation of City Impact Church helps to weed, prune and tidy up.
You can find out more about North Shore Hospital’s healing gardens on the North Shore Hospital Foundation website, www.northshorehospitalfoundation.com.
On yer bike
– or bus
It was a case of “on yer bike” for Waitemata DHB staff during recent in “Workout to Work” events at North Shore and Waitakere Hospitals.
Staff got the chance to try their hand at mountain-biking over obstacle courses or even having a whirl on an electric bike – which uses the electricity the bike’s wheels generate to make the going easier.
As well, Auckland Transport held travel planning workshops, helping staff work out how to get to and from work by public transport. Other sponsors were PowerBikes North Shore, the Melanoma Foundation, Uncle Toby’s, Healthy Food magazine and Living Water Enterprises (LVW)
Around 180 staff took part in the events, and went away with information to help them get to work easily without relying on their cars. Even chief executive Dr Dale Bramley, fresh from running to work that morning, had a go on a mountain bike.
“These events show staff that driving doesn’t have to always be our first choice,especially with summer coming,” says DHB sustainability officer Emma Bowyer-Warner.
The Poynton: People
