Theatre services at Whanganui Hospital

Our theatre services are found at:

• Ward and Administration block
• 100 Heads Road
• Whanganui

Having all these services together makes the journey easier and more streamlined for our patients. The Theatre services multi-disciplinary team consists of:

• nurses
• anaesthetists
• surgeons
• administration staff
• instrument sterilisation technicians
• health care assistants.

Pre-surgery clinics

You will have a pre-surgery appointment before you have surgery. This is usually done within 4 weeks of your surgery.

Your pre-surgery check appointment is where you will have a health assessment completed by a nurse or doctor to make sure you are fit for surgery. Diagnostic tests may be ordered and additional treatments arranged to promote good health and post-operative recovery. Information and education about the operation is provided and any questions you may have are answered.

It is important to bring your medication, or a list of it, and any discharge summaries if you have received treatment at another hospital.

We recommend a support person accompanies elderly, frail or dependent patients to assist them.

Day Unit

You will go to the Day unit if you have elective surgery under general anaesthetic.

You will be given a bed after you have been admitted and had your health information checked by a nurse. This is where you and your whānau can wait until your surgery. You will return to the Day unit after surgery until you are well enough to go home. Some patients are admitted to the Surgical ward for ongoing care.

Some medical procedures are done in this unit, such as blood transfusions or IV drug administration.

Endoscopy Clinic

Some procedures in this clinic involve examining the digestive system using a long flexible instrument with a built-in camera and lighting system, such as:

• gastroscopy
• colonoscopy
• sigmoidoscopy.

Another procedure is bronchoscopy, which involves examining the lungs.

You are sedated with pain relief while these procedures are completed.

Tissue biopsy and a number of surgical procedures may be performed.

After a short recovery period, patients may go home with the support of family and friends.

Skin lesion removal clinic

Outpatients have skin lesions removed under local anaesthetic in the Skin lesion removal clinic.

Operating Theatre

We have 1 acute and 3 elective operating theatres.

Elective surgery is carried out 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

We have a surgical team available 24/7 for emergency surgery.

Post-operative care unit

Patients need close observation, pain relief and medication to control any issues such as nausea and wound care after surgery.

Our 7-bed unit provides one-on-one care, as needed. You may be here anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on your needs.

Instrument sterilisation department

This department decontaminates and sterilises instruments and equipment used during surgery and endoscopy.

Industry standards are very strict and our small team of highly trained technicians provide an excellent service to help ensure patient safety.