General ward
Department: Perioperative Services (Theatre)Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre General WardDivision: West Coast DHB

Our specialist Anaesthetists are involved in all types of anaesthesia, intensive care, resuscitation and treating acute pain and labour pain. They are supported by a highly-skilled Pre-assessment Nurse.

Pre-anaesthetic clinics are held in Greymouth and Westport.

The orthopaedic service has one permanent staff member supported by visiting specialists from around New Zealand and overseas.

The service provides both elective and acute surgery with the latest techniques, including hip resurfacing procedures and hip arthroscopy.

Our Obstetricians and Gynaecologist provide delivery of normal pregnancies, assisted vaginal deliveries and caesarean sections. A small proportion of high risk pregnancies are referred to Christchurch Women’s Hospital. The Gynaecology services provide general gynaecological services including the treatment of menstrual problems, urogynaecology, preliminary infertility services, endometriosis, treatment of pelvic pain, hormone replacement, contraceptive treatment, sterilisation advice and colposcopy.

To access the service a GP referral is necessary.  Patients cannot make an appointment directly for the gynaecology services offered here.

The department has close links with Christchurch Public Hospital and can refer patients there if needed.

The waiting list for surgery can be between one week and six months, depending on how urgent your need is.

If booked times of admissions don’t suit your needs, please ring the admitting office using the phone number on your letter and discuss this with the admissions staff.

We sometimes have to postpone appointments at short notice because of emergencies. We might have to postpone your surgery even after you have been admitted. Our staff will do everything possible to avoid postponing any treatment. However, if this occurs we will rebook your surgery.

See also: Appointments, bookings and cancellations

The West Coast DHB will send you a letter of notification telling you the date of your surgery and requesting confirmation you can attend. If required, we will send you information about pre-anaesthetic clinic, blood tests, x-rays and any other preparation necessary.

We will send information about when you should stop eating and drinking before your surgery, and if you need to stop taking your medication.

On the day of surgery, you will have to change into a hospital gown in the ward. You may also need to wear TED (support) stockings to help prevent blood clots.

A nurse will check that all your paperwork is correct and you have signed a consent form. Tell staff about any allergies you have.

Theatre staff will phone the ward when they are ready for you. You may have to wait longer than expected if other surgeries take longer than normal or priority changes.

The nurse will walk with you or wheel you to the theatre department.

Keeping you safe during surgery

In theatre

Once in the theatre department, staff will be with you at all times and will explain the process to you.

Medical staff will insert an IV line and give you a clear breathing mask as you fall asleep. Please inform staff if you have a fear of needles or the mask.

After surgery

Following surgery, you will wake in the recovery room. You will have an oxygen mask on and a cuff that measures blood pressure.

Nurses will monitor your vital signs and ensure they are stable. They will check your wound and observe for bleeding. They will make sure you are comfortable and offer pain relief if necessary.

You are then transferred to the ward.

The ward has four consultant General Surgeons, supported by a surgical Resident Medical Officer, surgical nurses and administration staff.

Outpatient clinics are held in Greymouth and peripheral clinics are held in Hokitika, Westport and Reefton.

See also: Perioperative services (Surgical services)