Carter Court by Wairarapa Times-Age

Wednesday, May 25, 2022 Wairarapa Midweek

FEATURE SUPPLEMENT

Carter Society

OPENS NEW HOSPITAL WING

A very happy Carter Court The new Manager Jo McDonald,wet androom Nurse Manager Lynley Batson in front of Carter Court, with the new hospital wing to the left

Rest home Manager Jo McDonald and Nurse Manager Lynley Batson are grinning from ear-to-ear. The new hospital annexe at Carter Court has ÿ nally been completed, adding six new hospital level care rooms to the aged care facility that sits at the heart of Carterton. It increases the number of beds available for residents from 42 to 48 and the number of hospital speciÿ c beds from 17 to 23. The new development will add to the existing services that the not-for-proÿ t Carterton Society provides to elderly residents across Wairarapa. These include a retirement village containing six 2-bedroom units and 44 housing ° ats for pensioners, 38 of which were donated by the Carterton District Council in 2016. The new hospital annexe is an extension of the existing Bill Monk hospital wing where the bulk of Carter Court’s hospital beds are located. It juts perpendicular to the main

entrance and will be the ÿ rst building to greet people on their left as they come down the driveway towards the main entrance façade. It’s almost like an arm is extending, ready to embrace visitors on arrival. Jo is especially elated, “It’s taken four long years to get here against some massive challenges brought about by the pandemic. The six new hospital beds are so welcome right now and it’s some good news at a very needed time for our community.” The new rooms will be ÿ lled by residents from all over Wairarapa who require hospital level care. They will join the Carter Court family in the coming weeks once the code of compliance has been granted. “We’re in the ÿ nal stages of that process and should have sign-o˛ any day now, so hope to be operational soon,” says Jo. Five of the six rooms have been kindly sponsored by the families of past or present residents, each paying $3000 to have a room named after their family. In return the money has been used to completely ÿ tout each room with an elevating bed, chair, table, and wardrobe. The Nikau Trust has sponsored the remaining room that sta˛ are

a˛ ectionately calling ‘the Nikau room’. All of the rooms contain brand new ensuite bathrooms and other modern décor to provide comfort and a sense of tranquillity. In addition to the six rooms, there is also a wet room which is big enough to accommodate the new shower trolley purchased from a grand from the Nikau foundation. All six bedrooms have new ceiling hoist track systems

The six new hospital beds are so welcome right now and it’s some good news at a very needed time for our community.” to enable residents to be hoisted to and from their beds. None of the other hospital rooms have the hoist tacking and there is eager anticipation from residential nursing sta˛ who know it will make a big di˛ erence to the new residents’ needs. Nurse Manager Lynley Batson says sta˝ ng will increase in response to the new residents’ arrival. “It’s great for everyone and shows how Carter

Court touches many lives beyond our residents.” For her sta˛ there will be little change. “Our sta˛ will continue to give great care. We are in challenging times, but our sta˛ take huge satisfaction working with our older folk and I constantly see kindness and empathy in their work.” On the other side of the heavy ÿ re doors that lead to the existing hospital beds in the Bill Monk wing, a small alcove has been renovated with comfortable lounge chairs and a small kitchenette. This quiet nook has been sponsored by the local Rotary club of Carterton and is now referred to as The Rotary Lounge. It o˛ ers guests visiting in the new hospital wing the chance for some tea and co˛ ee among the serenity of a home-like lounge. Jo says this moment in time is particularly noteworthy. “2022 is the 200-year anniversary of the birth of Carterton’s founder, Charles Rooking Carter. Most know he is also responsible for the existence of Carter Court. It feels incredibly special to be building upon his legacy and continuing his care for the elderly into the future. We’re feeling very fortunate, elated, and humble right now.”