Hospital’s major makeover forges ahead
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Whangarei Leader
Whangarei Hospital's multi-million dollar redevelopment is going ahead as planned, despite changes to New Zealand's health system.
Principal consultants have been selected for stage one of the programme, which includes a new mental health in-patient unit.
The $25.1 million stage one is due to be finished by the end of next year.
But a further six subsequent stages have also been planned by the Northland District Health Board, including new operating theatres, extra wards and more outpatient facilities.
Last year Health Minister Tony Ryall appointed a new National Health Board to manage capital investment, IT, workforce planning and vulnerable health services like paediatric oncology.
But Northland District Health Board spokeswoman Fleur King says the new National Health Board will not make a significant difference to the hospital’s planning.
Each stage has to have a separate business case approved before it can go ahead.
Ms King says instead of the business case being considered by the Health Ministry’s national capital committee, it will be considered by the National Health Board.
Each case must still be approved by the ministers of health and finance because it involves spending public money, she says.
Northland District Health Board chief executive Karen Roach says she is pleased to announce the appointment of principal consultants for stage one.
The project manager is RDT Pacific, the architect and health planner is Fitness Fleming Architects and the quantity surveyor is Rider Levett Bucknall.
The project includes building a new 25-bed mental health in-patient unit, relocation of key support services and demolishing of buildings in preparation for stage two.
"As custodians of Whangarei Hospital for the Northland community, we want our buildings to be not only fit for purpose but also ensure they reflect the uniqueness of Northland," says Ms Roach.
The concept design for the new mental health unit is nearing completion and the preliminary design will be done early this year.
The next steps will be expressions of interest and requests for tenders for contractors, with work likely to start in September.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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