A new multimillion-dollar outpatient block will help "ease the physical constraints" Christchurch Hospital is facing.

The temporary building opens its doors to its first patients today, allowing for a new 36-bed acute medical assessment ward to be built on the ground floor of the Parkside building.

Christchurch Hospital suffered major earthquake damage and repairs have disrupted services and staff.

Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) chief executive David Meates said the building, on the former Hagley Hostel site, was a "significant step" in increasing the hospital's capacity.

Christchurch Hospital Volunteers had donated $15,000 to buy nearly 70 artworks for the new outpatients block. Artists Shane Hammond and James Robinson had donated paintings, and Christchurch's Windsor Gallery had also gifted an artwork.

The volunteers had also donated $50,000 for a patient seating area.

Meates said the outpatients block was portable and could be "picked up and moved to another site if required".

Outpatient clinics would be held on the ground floor of the building, while 100 staff would occupy office space on the second floor.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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