C&C DHB makes moves to improve disabled accesse
Lessons learned while undertaking building and refurbishing projects on Capital & Coast District Health Board sites have meant improvements in access to site facilities for the disabled.
Interim Chief Executive, Derek Milne, said it was important to continue to improve access for all our patients and visitors.
“In the new areas of Kenepuru Community Hospital a high standard of accessibility and usability has been achieved,” Dr Milne said.
“One or two problems detected when Kenepuru first re-opened have been rectified and the lessons learned are now also being applied to the new facilities in Newtown.”
The existing buildings at Kenepuru are being upgraded. This includes all reception areas being inspected to provide better access for the disabled, while a work programme is well advanced to ensure that reception counters, waiting rooms and toilet facilities are wheelchair friendly.
At the Kapiti Health Centre in Paraparaumu, two designated disabled carparks have now been placed at the front entrance to the centre for ease of access.
“Services at Wellington Hospital have had to be fitted into the existing buildings after the demolition of the old front buildings and this has led to some services being located in areas that were not originally designed to accommodate them. But it was necessary to ensure we could keep all services running for the interim construction period,” Dr Milne said.
“However, the new Newtown building will be state of the art and is being developed to provide ease of access and better navigation between services. A disability advisor has been involved in the process throughout the design and building work. We are eagerly anticipating the move to the new building.”
The new building will comply with all health and safety regulations, guidelines and codes, including disabled access to services and facilities. Once the migration into the new building is complete, the refurbishment of some of the existing buildings will also help to improve access.
