The Waikato Hospital was forced to make some changes to its rooms in order to accommodate the increasing number of extremely obese people. The hospital is serving patients who weigh more than 300 kilograms, or 650 pounds.

The adjustments have cost the hospital $48 million and will be open next month. The changes include reinforced beds that can withstand more than 350 kilograms and wider doorways.

The Waikato District Health Board’s Program Management Office Project Manager, Chris Baker, states that it is not unusual for their hospital to see at least 2 to 3 patients weighing more than 350 kilograms a year.

The ceilings of the room have also been steel-reinforced so mobile hoists can be mounted from the ceiling. They are capable of lifting and lowering up to 500kg anywhere in the room.

"We still lift them with mobile hoists which aren't as easy to use - you can imagine trying to push a hoist on soft lino with a 250kg person in the sling, it is quite difficult”.

With the rising number of extremely obese people, ambulances are having a difficult time carrying patients. The St. John Ambulance now has special equipment that includes an air mattress that acts like a hovercraft to move patients from accidents.