Palmerston North Hospital ready for Samoan Tsunami Patients

02/10/2009 | Samoan Tsunami Patients @ PN Hospital Release 1

Palmerston North Hospital is in a state of readiness as it prepares to receive a number of victims and their families from the Samoan tsunami disaster.

MidCentral District Health Board General Manager, Lareen Cooper, said up to 10 patients were expected to arrive aboard an Australian Air Force aircraft at RNZAF Base Ohakea this afternoon.

The patients, aged from 12 years to adulthood, are believed to be mostly New Zealanders. Ambulances are being arranged to transfer them to the hospital. Supporting family members are also on the flight.

Ms Cooper said clinical and support teams were now being coordinated to provide care to the patients and pastoral care and support to families.

The Ministry of Health is co-ordinating the event at a national level and communicating with all District Health Boards to determine where resources are available and where patients and families can be accommodated.

Ms Cooper said it was not known at this stage if any further flights were planned, but the hospital would stay in a state of readiness in case more patients arrived.

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