By Frank Neill

Nominations for the Wellington Airport regional community awards are now open.

These awards recongise the valuable work of community group volunteers in the wider Wellington region.

and emerging community groups.

opened at Hutt Hospital on 9 May.

At the blessing of Ward Two at the Wellington Regional Hospital. Photo: Supplied. for discharge papers, or for wh nau or an ambulance to pick them up.

“Each morning we discharge about 40 to 50 people from Hutt Hospital. However, they are often unable to leave until late afternoon or early evening.

“The hub enables these patients to wait in comfort while freeing up much-needed beds for new patients, particularly those waiting in ED,” Mr Cromhout says.

“We can monitor surgical patients who are expected to stay in hospital less than 24 hours after their operation.

“We expect this will support 2,000 patients a year and free up beds in the hospital’s medical wards,” he says.

“Work on a range of community care initiatives, which will reduce demand on hospitals, is also underway.”

More than 60 groups will be recognised this year, with more than $50,000 in award money and prizes.

People making a submission will go into a draw to win one prize of a night’s accommodation for two people at Rydges Wellington Airport, including breakfast for two and a $150 Whiskey Lima Golf dinner voucher.

Awards will be presented in six categories:

In making the awards, the judges take into consideration volunteer input, utilisation of resources, innovation and creativity, effectiveness of activities and impact within the community – all with a focus on activities within the past year.

People can submit nomina- wellington-airport-community-Nominations close on 31 May. group

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