?

West Auckland > Public Hospital Services > Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā >

Emergency Department (ED) - Waitakere Hospital | Waitematā

Public Service, Emergency

Today

12:00 AM to 12:00 AM.

Description

What is the Emergency Department?

The Emergency Department (ED) is the place at Waitakere Hospital where people with acute and emergency health problems are assessed and treated. People presenting to the ED are seen initially by the triage nurse. There are many different groups of doctors from different services assessing patients in the ED, but the ED nurses care for all patients in the ED.

Most people presenting to the ED are self-referrals so have not seen their family doctor or GP before coming to hospital.  These patients are assessed and treated by the Emergency Medicine doctors, and are either discharged home or referred to other services for admission or further investigation.  

Some people seen by their family doctors are referred to hospital to see doctors and staff from the inpatient specialty services.

Emergency Medicine specialises in the diagnosis, management and treatment of acute and urgent illnesses and injuries that may be life-threatening and require immediate attention.

Other specialty services with doctors and staff assessing patients in the ED include General Medicine, Paediatrics and Mental Health. 

 

 What is Triage?

All patients presenting to the ED are triaged by a senior nurse according to the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) to determine the nature and severity of the illness or injury. On the basis of this assessment, those with more severe symptoms or injuries are treated before those with less serious conditions.  The triage nurse may discuss the option of an appointment with the person's GP or other available healthcare facility if the presenting problem is non-urgent and there is a long waiting time to be seen.

 

How Many Patients Present to Waitakere ED Each Year?

In 2019 approximately 59,550 patients presented to ED at Waitakere. Of these 85% were first seen by Emergency Medicine doctors, and approximately 25% were children.

Consultants

Referral Expectations

On arrival at the Emergency Department, the patient may expect to undergo a brief triage or screening to determine the nature and severity of the illness or injury. On the basis of this assessment, those with more severe symptoms or injuries are treated before those with less serious conditions.  There may be longer waits for patients with non-urgent problems.

Fees and Charges Description

It is WDHB policy to treat patients for acute and urgent care regardless of eligibility status.  However, patients found to be not eligible receiving free NZ publicly-funded healthcare will be sent an invoice for the cost of treatment at WDHB.

Our ED staff are not able to establish eligibility at the time of presentation to the department, nor are able to accept payment at this time.  You will receive an invoice in the mail with information on how your account can be paid.

Please visit the Ministry of Health website for more information on eligibility:

http://www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/eligibility-publicly-funded-health-services

Please feel free to contact our Non-Resident Support Advisors during office hours for additional information:

Laura Panlilio RN

North Shore Hospital

Ph: (09) 486 8920 ext 7223 or 021 225 7831

Karen Magorian RN

Waitakere Hospital

Ph: (09) 838 1747 or 021 494 739

Hours

12:00 AM to 12:00 AM.

Mon – Sun midnight – midnight

Waitakere Hospital’s Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact Details

Waitakere Hospital

West Auckland

12:00 AM to 12:00 AM.

Waitakere Emergency Department Charge Nurse Manager: Sonia Panicker (Sonia.Paniker@waitematadhb.govt.nz)

Lincoln Road
Henderson
Waitakere

Information about this location

View on Google Maps

Get directions

Street Address

Lincoln Road
Henderson
Waitakere

Postal Address

Waitakere Hospital
Private Bag 93115
Lincoln Road
Henderson
Waitakere 0650

This page was last updated at 11:44AM on April 11, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Emergency Department (ED) - Waitakere Hospital | Waitematā.