Friday 7 August 2009
Redeveloped Paimarie Whanau Accommodation to be Formally Opened mid-August
The redeveloped Paimarie Whanau Accommodation complex at Rotorua Hospital will be opened on Friday 14 August.
Lakes DHB has funded the $500,000 cost of building and Te Whakapono Health Trust has fundraised for the $100,000 required for the furniture, fixtures and fittings in the redevelopment.
Rotorua firm Burton Construction was contracted to do the work, starting in February and working through winter. The original Paimarie accommodation was a single building. This has now been altered to two separate motel type units, and four new self contained units built.
Paimarie whanau accommodation is available as short term emergency accommodation for the family support members of acutely unwell patients. Priority for the use of the facility is given to families in crisis situations who do not reside in the Rotorua region.
The official opening will be held at the Bay Trust Rescue Helicopter Hangar on the Rotorua Hospital site. The official opening will start at 11am, followed by a tour of the redeveloped facility and lunch.
Lakes District Health Board Board Chair Stewart Edward says the DHB and Lakes district communities are extremely fortunate to Te Whakapono Health Trust’s support. He says the $100,000 required to fit out and furnish Paimarie would have been beyond the reach of the DHB. Stewart Edward says the Board has fully supported the need for an upgrading of the whanau accommodation and Lakes DHB was delighted when Te Whakapono Health Trust got in behind the project.
“Like the Dialysis Unit that was opened just over three years ago, the redeveloped Paimarie has been able to be completed because of the community fundraising led by Te Whakapono Health Trust. It is a tributed to Te Whakapono Health Trust that the group has been able to galvanise community support during these very tough financial times, to come up with $100,000. This is a community facility funded for the community by the community,” said Stewart Edward.
Family members of very sick patients sometimes requiring emergency accommodation are able to be close to the patient, yet have somewhere to go to have a rest and a break. Paimarie, means Haven of Peace, and the beautiful setting with views of Kuirau Park provides the ideal place for time out for families of seriously ill patients.
The Paimarie units are managed by Te Whakaruruhau, the Maori Health strategic team, and access to the units is facilitated through the Hunga Manaaki staff, the Maori health team members who deliver health services in Rotorua Hospital. Outside normal working hours, the hospital duty manager links with key staff to allow access to the facility.
Users of Paimarie can expect a deposit and small charge, which will help with the administration of the units. Like all DHB sites, smoking is not permitted in Paimarie.
Families have been able to access whanau/family accommodation at Rotorua Hospital since the mid 1980s. At this time accommodation was located close to ICU and CCU and in 1991 there were rooms available in the former nurses’ home, which is now the main carpark. Paimarie was opened early in 1995. The idea for the accommodation need was identified in the late 1980s, when a special committee was set up to work on developing the concept.
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