---

The Canterbury District Health Board has officially opened the new Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) at Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand, which will benefit both the patients and the staff.

---

Situated at the ground floor of Christchurch Hospital's Parkside West building, the 1500 square metre AMAU includes 11 additional beds by bringing the total number of beds in the AMAU to 36.

The new AMAU includes four staff observation areas which allow direct observation of patients, and two consultant rooms for the staffs to assess patients directly referred by their family doctor, reducing the pressure on ward beds and the emergency department.

Apart from that the facility also includes three single isolation rooms with ensuites and HEPA Filtered capacity are part of the 36 beds. A large room is located in the centre of the unit to allow clinical teams an area for clinical patient handover.

The new facility has replaced the old 900 square metre AMAU in Riverside.