A Queenstown man who successfully argued the case for a whanau room at Lakes District Hospital has won praise for his determination.
Former Queenstown Lakes district councillor and community stalwart Tony Hill saw his vision realised at the whanau room’s official opening last week, after a four-month conversion and build project.
The self-contained studio room, which can sleep several people and has a kitchenette and bathroom, is available for use by the family of people receiving treatment or admitted for short-term acute care at the Frankton hospital.
Mr Hill said when his late son, Fergus, was in the hospital with cancer in 2015, it was difficult to spend evenings with him because the hospital was full.
He and wife Vickie borrowed a friend’s motor home and put it the car park, allowing them to sleep nearby and take turns being with their son.
"That made me realise how important whanau rooms are.
"Since then, other families have told me they’ve been in the same boat, not being able to spend time with loved ones here in those latter days."
Southern District Health Board chief executive Chris Fleming praised Mr Hill for his "tenacity" in arguing for the facility.
The hospital’s limited space meant achieving the goal required sacrifices and compromise, "but now we’ve got something we can be proud of."
Lakes District Hospital Foundation chairwoman Jayne Macdonald said it took up Mr Hill’s idea two years ago in the belief the facility was a "must have."
The $130,000 cost of converting the space was met with grants by the Central Lakes Trust and ADEPT-Mactodd Charitable Trust, and a donation by foundation trustee Kim Wilkinson and his wife Marie.
"We are extremely lucky to live in a community that shares our vision of helping us to assist the hospital and the people it serves," Ms Macdonald said.
