As well as people’s health, a key focus of the Whanganui Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) response to the coronavirus outbreak is the general welfare of the community.

The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) handling the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak for the Whanganui District Health Board region has been expanded today, Sunday, 29 March 2020.

The Ministry of Health announced at 1.00pm today that three people in the Whanganui Region are confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.

Whanganui District Health Board wants to thank the people of our region for working together to minimise the spread of COVID-19 and for the work essential services are doing.

In line with government direction, Whanganui Hospital is closed to almost all visitors, and people accompanying their loved ones to essential appointments, as of 11.59pm on Wednesday, 25 March.

Following the news today (Monday, March 23) that New Zealand will go into a four-week lockdown, WDHB is reassuring the community that essential health services will be maintained.

Following the government announcement on Saturday 21 March 2020 of a COVID-19 alert system, visitors are now limited to two at a time for each patient in Whanganui Hospital and some appointments have been postponed.

WDHB opened its emergency operations centre on Monday 16 March to respond to the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

The outbreak of novel coronavirus COVID-19 presents a rapidly-evolving situation and Whanganui District Health Board has been monitoring this since the virus was first reported in January.

Cancer has been detected in two people in the first four months of Whanganui’s bowel screening programme.

A free school-based vaccination catch-up campaign targeting Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is being launched this week in Whanganui and will be gradually rolled out across the Whanganui, Rangitīkei and Waimarino districts – with a special focus on capturing teenagers who may not be up to date with their HPV vaccination.

Health minister David Clark’s announcement last week of $2 million for the expansion of the Waimarino Health Centre in Raetihi marks a big step forward for a community concept started in 2018.

The announcement of a new chemotherapy and infusion unit for Whanganui Hospital will mean no more trips to Palmerston North for some cancer patients.

Whanganui Hospital will be serving patients a delicious Christmas menu beginning with a traditional Christmas Day dinner at midday.

The kind-hearted folk at Whanganui District Health Board have added a little Christmas cheer for those less fortunate.

While Whanganui Hospital is open 24/7 over the Christmas and New Year period, outpatients, patient scheduling and the sexual health drop-in clinic will be closed for some days during the break.

Visitors to Whanganui Hospital’s maternity, childrens’ and critical care unit wards may think they’ve stepped into Santa’s workshop this month.

Ken Whelan, with more than 40 years’ experience in both the New Zealand and Australian health sectors, is the new chair of the Whanganui District Health Board.

Dedication, compassion and empathy are the hallmarks of Whanganui nurse Rachel Work, and now those qualities have been recognised with an award.

10 December 2019   More than 100 staff from the Whanganui District Health Board will be striding out in the 3 Bridges Marathon event on Saturday.

This year’s festive season will be a little brighter for kids at Whanganui Hospital, thanks to a generous donation by Grumpy Old Men Enterprises.

Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) is calling on Christmas party hosts to make sure end-of-year functions are remembered for all the right reasons, by providing safe environments for party-goers.

Te Rā Mokopuna (National Safe Sleep day) on Friday, December 6, promises a fun day for whānau. Picnic in the Park at Pākaitore is about encouraging communities and organisations to promote safe sleep practices for our tamariki mokopuna.

A hui will be held at Whanganui Hospital on 6 December to find out more about Ngā Manukura o Ᾱpōpō - Clinical Leadership Programme for Māori nurses and midwives.

Whanganui District Health Board’s photography competition came to a dramatic conclusion last week as plastic covers were pulled away to reveal a series of wonderful images.

It’s the before-and-after photo with a difference, and one little Hugo Gardner may come to treasure in time.

Five people have returned a positive test after being screened by Whanganui’s new bowel cancer screening programme.

This White Ribbon Day, Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) is asking the public to “Challenge the Unspoken Rules” that boys and young men inherit from society.

Doctor Jan Bone, who led the emergency department during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, will give a free public lecture on Thursday 21 November.

Whanganui District Health Board is partnering with ACC to help people caring for family at home regarding pressure injuries. 

“A positive step moving forward”; “A remarkable opportunity to be heard”; “I felt like people were listening to us” - these were some of the comments after Whanganui’s first Conversation Café.

Health Minister David Clark is encouraging Whanganui residents to take up the opportunity for free bowel screening, which can detect cancer early when it’s easier to treat.

Whanganui District Health Board medical imaging technologists (MITs) will strike for 24 hours beginning 7am on Wednesday 30 October and 7am on Friday 1 November 2019 with a full withdrawal of services.

Improving health outcomes for Māori will be a key focus of the national bowel screening programme which launched in Whanganui on Tuesday 22 October.

Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall remembers his friend from university days in Otago as being “fit and a talented footballer who loved music”.

A collaborative framework has been put in place by various agencies dealing with the closure of State Highway 4.

The benefits of being in good physical shape before having surgery will be the focal point of a public display and inter-action at Whanganui Hospital on October 16.

A mystery $5000 donation has delighted staff at Whanganui Hospital.

Whanganui District Health Board medical imaging technologists (radiographers) will strike for 24 hours beginning 7am on Wednesday 2 October 2019 and ending 7am on Thursday 3 October 2019.

We are reviewing how we run our laboratory – and want your feedback.