Public Open Day at Wellington's New Regional Hospital

9,000 people siezed the opportunity to tour part of their new Wellington Regional Hospital on Sunday 8th March 2009. 

Part of the Hospital is already operational, including Radiology and Blood and Cancer - who both opened their doors as part of the Open Day tour.  On the self guided tour, visitors also had a 'behind the scenes' look at the Intensive Care Unit, the Timeline corridor, the Surgical department (including Operating Theatres) and the Arches that formed the original entrance of Wellington Hospital.

We could not have held this tour without the help of 163 Volunteers from Capital & Coast District Health Board and the Wellington Community.  Everyone involved with the day were very proud and passionate about their new Hospital.  Many stayed for the whole day to help guide people around, talk about the areas and the displays in ICU, Surgery and Blood and Cancer - which were big hits with kids.

The whole day ran very smoothly - except for when one of the helium filled balloons was detected by the fire alarm sensors in the ceiling and we had to evacute about 400 people!  At least we know the system works!

Photographed below are:

• Ken Whelan (CEO C&CDHB) and Bill Day (Chair, WHHF) thanking the Volunteers before the doors were opened at 10am
• First Operating Theatre displaying a mock-up of Stomach Ulcer Surgery
• Second Operating Theatre display in 'Blue Light' used for some surgerys - in this instance laparoscopic surgery (admittedly on a wooden box)
• The Timeline Corridor
• A shot through the Arches which formed the entrance of the original hospital - now a stand alone feature in the Atrium courtyard