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Whakaari/White Island update
Australian High Commissioner, Patricia Forsythe visited Waikato Hospital on 30 January with to meet and thank the DHB staff who provided care and support to Australian citizens injured in the Whakaari/White Island eruption.
Commissioner Forsythe said:
“Australia was significantly impacted by this event, but my very first message to our Government was that our people were in good hands and the hospitals where the victims had been sent would look after them well. I just wanted to say thank you
on behalf of the Australian people for what you did in the most extraordinary circumstances.”
Waikato Hospital received eight patients on the day of the eruption. Two have since been repatriated to Australia, three transferred to the National Burns Unit in Middlemore Hospital, two passed away and one remains in our HDU.
We did have to cancel a number of appointments and procedures which also had an impact on acute patient times over this period.
Theatres managed to maintain some level of business as usual throughout, but provided a reduced level of elective service.
Although the impact has been considerable, our staff have responded admirably to a difficult and unique event.
Australian High Commissioner, Patricia Forsythe visits Waikato Hospital
