Join Critical Care
About us
Waikato Hospital’s Critical Care is a 34-bed tertiary provider of intensive care medicine in the Midland region. Critical Care is a modern facility and encompasses the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the High Dependency Unit (HDU), admitting approximately 3387 patients each year.
The Intensive Care Unit has 22 beds run by intensive care specialists and nurses.
The 12-bed high dependency unit is an ‘open’ unit and works closely with ICU. Patients are cared by high dependency unit nurses, but medically managed by primary teams.
The unit serves as a tertiary centre, which provides services to the local Waikato region and wider Te Manawa Taki region, including the Bay of Plenty, Tarawhiti and Taranaki.
We offer a broad care approach which results in all specialities being managed under one roof, these specialties include:
- Trauma
- Neurosurgery
- Cardiac Surgery
- Regional Burns Centre
- Paediatrics- dominantly HDU type care
Apply nowWe are actively expanding and looking to recruit experienced staff and new staff alike. Come and join us in the journey to help mould the care delivered to patients in the Te Manawa Taki Region. Or you can visit our jobs portal to apply now |
Medical training
The Critical Care Unit has a combination of full time Intensive Care Specialists, as well as joint specialists in Anaesthesia, Emergency Medicine and Cardiology.
The Unit provides accredited training as a C24 unit for CICM trainees, but also appropriate training requirements for ANZCA, ACEM and RACP trainees. Rural trainees also find Waikato ICU an excellent training base due to the regional/rural support delivered by the Unit.
Non vocational registrars find the Intensive Care unit highly supportive and an enjoyable place to gain skills and exposure to the critically ill patient. Many choose a critical care career after their experience. HDU SHO’s also rotate through ICU and theatre complex and find the environment stimulating.
Registrars are expected to contribute to the teaching roster, and are encouraged to have a project to work through during their time in the Unit. Research involvement is also encouraged.
Bedside Ultrasound is abundant within the unit, with echocardiography typically performed. Most specialists are proficient in Transthoracic and transoesophageal echo, or are in the process of acquiring qualifications.
Accreditations
The unit is accredited C24 with the College of Intensive Care Medicine and as such is a highly sought after training institution.
The broad range of specialties under one roof have proven an ideal place for exposure and training for both nurses and registrars.
Research and education
The department has an active research group. This involves ANZICS Group research as well as encouraging local research.
Teaching is an integral part of Unit life, via Nurse Education, formal weekly medical teaching and active bed side teaching. Depending on the stage of training, and speciality programme, teaching is promoted and skills from all specialities are drawn upon.
As a regional tertiary service, the Intensive Care unit provides a medical transport service, using helicopter, fixed wing and land transport. Specialist transport nurses and registrars provide inter-hospital transport for both critically ill patients and those requiring medical escort. This exciting component of the service provides skills, independence, and promotes team building for the intensive care team members, it’s also a great opportunity to take in the sights of this beautiful country!
Meet our team
Consultants
- Dr Annette Forrest
- Dr Catherine Simpson
- Dr Geoff McCracken
- Dr Tom O’Rourke
- Dr Lynda Thurston
- Dr Pranesh Jogia
- Dr Nicholas Barnes
Fellows
- Dr Barnaby Lewin
- Dr Jamie Lee
- Dr Meghan McInerney
- Dr Vivek Rajendran
Medical Workforce Coordinator
Fiona Forsyth
Intensive Care Administrator
Di Takiari