Grave concern over hospital

Kaikoura residents have let their health board know they do not want to be looking out over a graveyard from their sick beds.

The Canterbury District Health Board is investigating where to build a new hospital in Kaikoura.

A field on Scarborough St is among possible sites, but many residents are appalled the land is on an old tar depot and overlooks the town's graveyard.

About 350 people packed the Memorial Hall in Kaikoura on Monday night and heard from the health board chief executive David Meates and chairman Alister James.

Mr Meates said the current hospital site on Deal St was still being considered, but had its own set of challenges.

Seven other sites had been identified, but these were being ruled out quickly, he said.

A number of residents said "the majority" of people in the room wanted the hospital built on the existing site and were against it being relocated to the former "dump" on Scarborough St.

Despite assurances that the land would be tested for toxicity and the health board had an obligation not to build on an unhealthy site, criticism still came from those unhappy with the Scarborough St site because it overlooked the town's cemetery.

Those in favour of a new health facility included local doctor Andrea Judd.

Dr Judd said those opposing the site were "stuck looking backwards instead of looking forward".

While she appreciated the current hospital had wonderful views, a view was only part of the healing process, she said.

A hedge could be grown to block out the graveyard, she said.

The meeting was told the board had a budget of $10 million, but rebuilding on the existing site would cost nearly $18m. Building on a greenfield site would reduce the outlay by $6m or more.

It was also pointed out that some services might not be able to be delivered if the hospital was rebuilt on the current site.

A small group is now to be formed by Kaikoura Mayor Kevin Heays which will liaise between the community and the Canterbury District Health Board to begin to move the project on.

- The Marlborough Express