A concerned resident raised the issue of the system with the Wellington Times.

A spokesperson for the Western NSW Local Health District (WLHD) recently said the new system – costing around $180,000 – is expected to be delivered within a few weeks and installed as soon as possible.

“Wellington Health Service and Western NSW Local Health District hopes to have the new air conditioning system operational as soon as possible, and is doing everything it can to ensure this occurs.

“At this stage, temporary measures such as a portable air conditioning unit continue to be utilised until the new system is delivered and installed, which will be conducted as speedily as is possible.”

The spokesperson said a critical failure of the existing evaporation cooling unit at the hospital has triggered an opportunity to upgrade the evaporative cooling to a ducted refrigeration unit.

“… this was considered the best solution for the Health Service in meeting contemporary models of patient care and also ensuring value for money for infrastructure.

“The priority at this stage however is putting in temporary measures to keep our patients and staff safe and healthy, and to ensure the new air conditioning system is installed as speedily as possible.

“Wellington Health Service apologise for the inconvenience this has caused, however reassures patients and their families that there is a fully-functioning portable air conditioning unit in use for the 13 acute care beds.

“Wellington Health Service is carefully monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and health of everyone in the facility, and all rooms in use are being as environmentally controlled as possible.”