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2615 days ago

Waikato Hospital Emergency Department

Andre Chivell from Waikato District Health Board

Kia ora, last week we put out a message on our Facebook page because our Emergency Department at Waikato was in overload and Waikato Hospital was full. You may have come across this media with the following headlines: Don’t come unless it’s an emergency, Waikato Hospital ED staff stay.

We would like to thank those that shared our important message via social media with friends and whānau because with your support, we reached over 100,000 people. We’ve been so busy we did forget to use Neighbourly as a media channel, but will do so in the future.

The situation is more manageable now thanks to your support and the relentless work by our staff, but we are still extremely busy.

It is even more important we keep spreading this message because no matter what our hospital capacity is, the same message stands at all times: Unless you have a real emergency, please check first with your GP or phone Healthline 0800 611 116 before coming to Waikato Hospital’s Emergency Department.

And it's really important that you continue to take good care of yourselves from nutrition to things like washing your hands often, keeping up your fluids and keeping active. There are lots of programmes available in the Waikato to support all ages including the Green Prescription by Sport Waikato that helps educate women around food and exercise, and if you're looking to quit smoking try ONCE AND FOR ALL (www.onceandforall.co.nz).

And please make sure you see your GP regularly to avoid becoming too unwell.  

Now is also a good time to sign up to SmartHealth, a free online healthcare service using your smart phone, tablet device or computer. You can use SmartHealth to talk to a free out of hour’s doctor by video, voice or text chat. Visit www.smarthealth.org.nz... for more information and to sign up.

Also read some of the positive patient experience stories from people around the Waikato.

Take care of yourselves Waikato.

Ngā mihi from Waikato DHB

More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

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Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
  • 85.5% Yes
    85.5% Complete
  • 13.4% No
    13.4% Complete
  • 1.2% Other - I'll share below
    1.2% Complete
1980 votes
12 days ago

Do you have a most-hated intersection in Waikato?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

New data has pinpointed Hamilton’s most dangerous intersections, including a high risk Cobham Drive turn off that a resident and driving experts believe should be shut for good.

While that turn into Grey St has resulted in the highest number of injuries, most crashes occurred at the bustling intersection of Te Rapa Straight and Wairere Drive.

Do you have a most-hated intersection in Waikato? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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26 days ago

What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

More alcohol restrictions, more lighting, busking rule changes and a whole lot of lobbying - these are some ways Hamilton leaders want to sort out the CBD.

Crime and anti-social behaviour in the area has been in the spotlight after recent news of a man defecating in the street near a city pub and another who flipped tables out the back of a bar after being found scrounging cigarette butts and asked to leave.

What would you do if it was your job to fix Hamilton's CBD? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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