Private hospital to expand

BY WALT DICKSON - WAIRARAPA NEWS

Selina Sutherland Hospital, Wairarapa's only private surgical facility, will double its size from six to 12 beds, with additional space set aside for future development.

Co-located on the Wairarapa Hospital site, Selina Sutherland Hospital leases theatre time and support services from the DHB.

DHB chief executive Tracey Adamson says the private hospital is critical to the recruitment and retention of senior medical staff in Wairarapa.

She says the expansion of the private hospital ensures patients seeking elective surgery will benefit from increased capacity, thereby clearing places on public waiting lists.

The new building will be owned by the DHB, with construction funding provided by Selina Sutherland Hospital.

Selina Sutherland Hospital first opened in 1996 in a vacated wing of Masterton hospital, after Masterton's only private surgical facility, Glenwood Hospital, closed.

"The economies of leasing space and facilities has benefited both hospitals, and Wairarapa patients," Ms Adamson says.

"When the new Wairarapa Hospital was completed in 2006, Selina Sutherland remained an integral part of the design, and moved to our new, purpose-built wing adjacent to the periopertive suite at the same time."

The hospital is managed by a charitable trust and headed by a board of directors.

Selina Sutherland chair Dr Rob Dimock says having the private facility has been of particular benefit in attracting surgeons to Wairarapa.

"This has enabled us to go from strength to strength, and we have planned this extension for some time," Dr Dimock says.

"It will ease the pressure on our beds, which are well supported by the Wairarapa public."

Wairarapa MP John Hayes says he is delighted 12 months of close and collaborative work with Wairarapa DHB chair Bob Francis had paid off in securing the Health Minister's agreement for the work.

He says this was a great way to start the year because the development was important for Masterton and the wider community.