I'd like to show you where I am working whilst in New Zealand this year. Whanganui Accident & Medical (WAM) Clinic is located on the Hospital campus next to Emergency Department (ED).
If you need urgent medical attention, but cannot get in to see your usual General Practitioner (GP), you will first get to hospital & then make your way to the shared WAM/ED entrance.
At this point you will be greeted & registered here at Reception. Depending on your need, you will be directed to the Triage Nurse at either ED or WAM.
The Triage Nurse will assess you according to the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS). The ATS ranks the severity of your problem & determines the order in which you will be seen. T1's & T2's go directly to ED. WAM is for urgent non-emergency health care & the most urgent patients will be seen first.
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| The rare view of an empty waiting room |
After your triage/wait, the doctor will call your name & then escort you down this hallway...
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| Wound repairs & minor procedures are done here in the Treatment Room |
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| Eye complaints & foreign bodies are seen in the Eye Room |
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| There are two Observation Beds for more urgent illnesses |
Usually, the doctor will bring you to one of three Consultation Rooms
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| The computers use Medtech32 (EMR) & Carestream (X rays) |
If you have a fracture, the nurse will apply your cast in the Plaster Bay. Before leaving,
Reception will schedule your follow-up appointment at the WAM fracture clinic.
It's 3:00. Need a quick hot cup of Milo?
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| The Staff Break Room in the back. |
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| The gardens outside the main hospital building |
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| Delicious cup of tea at the coffee shop downstairs |
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| Inside the Main Entrance at Hospital |
I have a 1 hour lunch break & go to the hospital cafeteria (above) when the weather is rainy or cold. On fine days, however, I spend that time outdoors at the river (below), just a 5 minute walk from hospital.
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| Don't forget to pay your fee before you leave! |
