Source: Waikato District Health Board
24 March 2023
With liquid testing results confirming the findings of earlier air sampling, the focus for Te Whatu Ora Waikato is now returning Waikato Hospital’s Emergency Department to full capacity.
A small part of the ED was cordoned off on 10 March after staff discovered dampness in floors and walls. This resulted in the temporary loss of eight bed spaces.
Initial advice received was the risk of exposure to people who had been in the cordoned off area was low. Air and now liquid test results have indicated the presence of mould and fungi, but no indication of stachybotrys (black mould).
While a robust temporary fix to a damaged pipe has been completed, planning is continuing on a permanent solution and we have been given an estimate of around 10 weeks for the repair to be completed.
All Waikato Hospital services have remained open throughout the management of the incident.
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