Rebuild of Dunedin Hospital gaining momentum, assures Health Minister
The long-awaited rebuild of Dunedin Hospital, which was initially started under the former Labour government, has faced years of setbacks and cost overruns. Originally scheduled to open in late 2023, the neighbouring outpatient facility is now expected to be operational by October 2026. The inpatient building, which was initially expected to be finished by 2028, is now due to accept patients in 2031.
Construction was paused while the current coalition reviewed the scope and costs, and work restarted in July this year. The Government has taken steps to provide strong contractor engagement to hold them accountable, and a new contract for the inpatient building includes performance measures to incentivize on-time and on-budget performance.
Health Minister Simeon Brown has confirmed CPB Contractors as the lead contractor for the new inpatient building at Dunedin Hospital. The old Cadbury site has been confirmed as the location for the rebuild. To ensure the project is delivered on time and within budget, a Crown manager, Evan Davies, has been appointed. The Government is working closely with Mr. Davies to achieve this goal.
The need for the new hospital has been acknowledged by Health Minister Simeon Brown. He has stated that the rebuild is a top priority for him. Work is underway to keep the current hospital functioning until the new buildings are completed. The rebuild of Dunedin Hospital is expected to provide health benefits for patients and clinicians by offering a modern, reliable infrastructure.
Labour first campaigned on replacing Dunedin Hospital in 2017, due to concerns about the existing facility's ability to last another decade. The rebuild is a significant project, and while there have been delays, progress continues to be made. Construction on the rebuild started again in the middle of this year, and the project is currently expected to be delivered on time and within budget.
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