Health board gets more funds for region

SARAH CODDINGTON

Waitemata District Health Board chairman Lester Levy has convinced the government to increase funding for the region.

Until now the board has received below average funding because it's a high decile area where people live longer than the national average.

In the 2009 to 2010 funding period 15 out of the country's 21 health boards got more money than Waitemata.

The health board now spends around $1.3 billion annually and receives the second highest funding in the country behind Manukau Counties Health Board.

The population in the Waitemata health board region is growing at about 12,000 people a year, adding to pressure on services.

Over the next four years the board plans to spend more than $150 million on new developments.

"As the population grows older we have got to fix this. North Shore for the first time has got a process. It is just not happening as quickly as we would like," he says.

Mr Levy says the board will be spending within its means. It had a deficit of about $22.9 million back in 2003. A proposed 212-bed second tower has been scrapped.

Mr Levy says the future of hospital care is to have specialised units rather than everything in one building.

The hospital plans to build a series of "cluster" buildings. This will include a 1200-space multi-level carpark expected at the end of next year.

The new plans will cater for 150 beds, down 62 from initial proposals.

Designs take into account the limited area of land on the site.

The board sold 1.8 hectares of land to Calan Healthcare Properties Trust 10 years ago. It is now home to a Metlife Care retirement home.

"That was a mistake. It would have been nice to have that land. We could have been a bit more flexible but it will also work without it," Mr Levy says.

The latest developments at the hospital include a new ward with 25 beds, up to 10 catering for acute stroke patients.

North Shore has one of the busiest emergency departments in the country because of the large population it caters for and there are not enough beds for everyone, Mr Levy says.

He says the problem will be resolved when the 50-bed Lakeview development is completed in about September 2011. A renal service centre will also be finished around this time.

Lakeview is costing $48 million and includes a second CAT scanner for the hospital.

Pressure is also expected to ease when Waitakere Hospital introduces a 24-hour emergency service in December. At the moment west Auckland adult residents are sent to North Shore after 10pm.

Longer term projects include an elective surgery tower with four operating theatres and 40 beds with ensuites that is expected to open in 2013.

Mr Levy would also like to see mini towers built in the current carpark to provide more beds for patients.

"Recruitment has doubled from last year with medical specialists seeing exciting developments taking place."

- © Fairfax NZ News