The site of the New Dunedin Hospital gives Southern DHB the flexibility to meet today’s healthcare challenges and the needs of future generations, Commissioner Kathy Grant says.

The Ministry of Health today confirmed the billion-dollar-plus hospital will be built across two central city blocks: the block diagonally across from the current hospital site which contains the Wilson’s car-park; and the site of the former Cadbury chocolate factory, including the car-park across the road on Anzac Avenue.

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Mrs Grant welcomed the news, commenting that the announcement “makes this exciting project even more of a reality for the people in our district.”

“As a health community this is an excellent result. We have a central location close to the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic to maintain those important linkages, and I acknowledge the valuable input from the local advisory group, and their support in ensuring our community enjoys the greatest benefit from a billion dollar hospital in this location.

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“Importantly, it also gives the project valuable breathing space by removing the concerns around space constraints that might have possible with a central city location.”

Mrs Grant says that the scale of the site means the health planners can deliver the hospital the community needs now while also keeping a close eye on future requirements. “We know that as health care changes, flexibility and the ability to adapt to new developments will be essential. It’s exciting that a variety of possible configurations of services can be considered for the benefit of patients and staff.”

Southern DHB CEO Chris Fleming says the announcement gives renewed impetus to the rebuild project.

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“It helps us envisage the shape our new hospital will take. There are many different options on the table – for example, the main hospital may be on one site and out-patients on the other.”

He adds that these decisions have not yet been made, and will be explored during the detailed design phase beginning later this year.

“The ability to develop our thinking around a physical space goes far beyond the walls of the hospital.

“It better enables us to make progress on the wider changes needed to build a network of care across the whole district, as we implement the primary and community care strategy and action plan.

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“The goal is to create a more integrated system of care, that is accessible, coordinated, and delivered as close to home as possible, while being well supported by specialist services. A new hospital on this site is a critical piece of this picture.”

The New Dunedin Hospital’s dedicated website has a wealth of information about the project including detailed Questions and Answers newdunedinhospital.nz

Southern DHB Welcomes New Dunedin Hospital Site Announcement

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