Source: Waikato District Health Board
An initiative to improve connectivity between patients, visitors and whānau came to fruition at the end of May with Wi-Fi connections established at rural Waikato hospitals.
Interim Operations Director – Community & Rural Health, Rachel Swain, said locally provisioned public Wi-Fi has now been fully established at each of the four Te Whatu Ora Waikato rural hospitals.
“This includes Taumarunui, Te Kuiti, Thames and Tokoroa Hospitals and has been achieved by using an independent link at each site fed by a fibre connection to each hospital.”
“To have an ability to communicate with loved ones is very important to our patients and whānau. In situations such as the earlier COVID-19 related lockdowns being able to interact with loved ones unable to visit is a key part of our patients’ wellbeing.”
Having publicly accessible Wi-Fi can make trips to the hospital less stressful for visitors as well.
“People visiting the hospitals will be able to book Health Shuttles or look at public transport timetables while they visit which can assist when planning outpatient appointments or follow up treatment.”
“This is all about enhancing the patient experience and making our services more accessible to more people.”
