The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has announced that a replacement lift for the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) is expected to arrive next month, aiming to solve the ongoing issues with the currently non-functional patient lift at the facility.
Public concern has been growing, with many expressing frustration on social media regarding the prolonged downtime of the hospital’s lift. The ministry confirmed that the lift, located in the West Wing of CWMH, has faced outages that have disrupted patient care.
The lift, over 15 years old and originally sourced from the OTIS Elevator Company of New Zealand, is undergoing evaluations by engineers who are present on-site to work on restoring its functionality. In the meantime, the Ministry of Health is collaborating with other governmental agencies, including the Ministry of Public Works, Transport, and Meteorological Services, to address these challenges.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the ministry indicated that in 2023, they became aware of the need to replace the aging lifts at CWMH, and with government funding now approved, a procurement process for the replacement of all outdated lifts is underway. The installation of the new lifts, which is designed to accommodate patients, staff, and medical equipment, is scheduled for February 2025.
These new specialized lifts are particularly crucial for maintaining efficient patient care as they are built to meet strict infection control standards, necessitating a precise procurement and installation process. The Ministry has acknowledged the disruptions caused by the lift’s failure and is committed to enhancing infrastructure and healthcare delivery throughout the country. They have urged patients, their families, and hospital staff to remain patient as these improvements are made.
This development is a positive step towards improving patient care and addressing long-standing issues within the hospital. It illustrates the Ministry’s commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure, which is essential for ensuring quality service and safety in medical facilities.
In summary, the replacement of the hospital lift represents a significant advancement towards better healthcare services, and the proactive approach by the Ministry highlights a dedication to resolving infrastructure challenges effectively.
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