The Hawke’s Bay community recently celebrated an important milestone at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital. The completion of Stage Two of the $16.9 million Puawānanga project was marked by the early morning blessing of the newly refurbished Puawānanga Outpatients facility.

“The refurbishment will provide a modern setting to deliver a range of health services – Orthopaedic clinic, General Surgery, and Vascular and Plastics Outpatients clinic.” Said David Warrington, Hawke’s Bay Group Director of Operations.

Puawānanga, the native clematis with clusters of white starry flowers, was gifted as the name of the building. The three-stage Puawānanga project will enable additional services to be offered under the auspices of Puawānanga. Stage One focused on the refurbishment of premises for Hand Therapy services, while Stage Three will extend the number of multi-purpose clinical consultation spaces to relieve pressure on the main hospital.

“The design throughout Puawānanga is symbolised through the whakataukī, ‘Kahungunu Ahu Whenua, Kahungunu Rukutai,’ emphasising the provision of care and our region’s connection to the land and people,” advised Mana Hazel, Pou Whirinaki Te Whatu Ora ki Te Matau a Maui.

The bright and colourful new palette of the Outpatients facility helps to promote a calm, peaceful atmosphere, while design elements that reference tukutuku and kowhaiwhai designs locate it firmly in Te Matau a Maui/Hawkes Bay.

Crashrails & Handrails for Wall Protection & Safety

Interior Components was contracted to supply and install crashrails and handrails to protect the new walls from damage and to assist the mobility of users. Low profile Inpro IPC handrails and crashrails were installed in light colours so that they support, rather than detract from, the wall features that draw on geometrical patterns from tāniko, the woven borders of traditional cloaks.

The handrails and crashrails in the new Outpatients facility are made of rigid vinyl, a hardwearing material that is anti-microbial, offers a high resistance to scratching and stains, and easily cleaned – important considerations for facilities with strict hygiene requirements and heavy traffic.

Interior Components offers extensive choice in its range of wall protection products. The Inpro IPC handrail range for example, includes twenty-two different handrail profiles. Handrails are offered in  metal, powder coated aluminium, stainless steel, and solid wood, as well as the rigid vinyl used at Puawānanga. The rigid vinyl handrail range covers an extensive colour palette from pastels to solid shades, as well as different wood finishes.

Phillip Manoy, Associate General Manager Surgery and Electives, commented, “Designed with the needs of both patients and staff at its core, the refurbishment will improve patient safety and flow as well as enabling us to deliver contemporary models of care,” adding, “I’m thrilled we can now offer increased capacity and the ability to accommodate whānau.”

Almost 3 Decades of Seismic Joints & Door and Wall Protection Products for Construction Projects

For almost thirty years, Interior Components has specialised in outfitting hospitals, universities, and other special purpose buildings. Owner, John Hutchings is proud of its internationally proven range of Inpro products that maintain a building’s fresh good looks and its asset value, while effectively protecting the safety and health of users and staff.

Seismic Joints and Door & Wall Protection Products Provided for this construction project were:

• IPC Series 800 Handrails
• IPC Series 1600 Wall Guard/Crashrails