Two new Auckland City Hospital Emergency Departments an Adults’ and a Children’s [for patients 15 and under], accepted their first patients in 2003.  These Emergency Departments are adjacent and accessed by the same route. 

Ambulances have their own entrance from Grafton Road into a large ambulance bay.  Patients are then transferred into the appropriate Emergency Department.

Patients arriving by helicopter, land on the roof of the large car park building, Grafton Road. They are then transferred to the appropriate Emergency Department via a dedicated air-bridge.

Patients arriving by car access the Emergency Departments from Park Road. There is clear signage and a drop off bay.  This category of patient should be aware that Emergency Departments are for real emergencies.  

For serious but not ‘real emergency’ conditions the options of a general practitioner visit, or after hours clinic should be used.  The Emergency Departments, especially in winter, can become very busy, and a patient will be assessed on arrival and prioritised accordingly.  Less serious conditions mean longer waits.

Admissions and Planning Unit

The reorganisation of service locations has been an opportunity to introduce new ways of doing things.  One innovation is the development of an Admissions and Planning Unit adjacent to the new Adult Emergency Department. 

Patients will transfer directly from the Emergency Department into the Admissions and Planning Unit for up to 36 hours.  At that point they may either be admitted to a ward or discharged with a care plan.  This is a new service. Its purpose is to monitor some patients closely during a crucial period but not unnecessarily admit them to a ward.

Go to the Auckland City Hospital Emergency Department specialist website for more information.