Now, from 10pm through to 6am, the emergency room will be situated in the old maternity unit.

A sign has been erected to ‘follow the yellow line’ after 10pm and patient care and services manager Clare Morcom said the change was temporary.

“We had to think about this very carefully,” she said.

“It is only a trial which will start today.

“The aim is to improve night-time service to patients.”

Describing Wellington as ‘lucky’, Ms Morcom stressed there was more to the hospital than just doctors and nurses.

“There are the cleaners, cooks and groundskeepers, to name a few,” she said.

“There are a range of staff with a broad range of skills and backgrounds.

“Approximately 80 people work here including nurses, doctors, allied health, admin staff, maintenance staff and hotel services.”

Wellington’s health service incorporates the hospital and the community and allied health sectors.

“The hospital has 20 acute beds, and emergency department and dialysis,” Ms Morcom said.

“The allied health includes Aboriginal health, diabetes education, dietician, women’s health, sexual health, and much, much more.”

Praising the local staff, Ms Morcom described the cohesiveness of the staff as the source of the “excellent patient care”.

“The Wellington Health Council, chaired by Brandon Wilson, is a liaison group,” she said.

“It is a link with the Wellington community to guide the focus of the service development that reflects specific needs of the community.”