New Hospital Developments In Auckland

"The new hospital developments in Auckland announced today will ensure people have access to better services that can keep pace with future changes to modern medicine," Health Minister Wyatt Creech said today.

"The investment in Auckland hospital services is an investment for all New Zealand.

"As a nation we are reliant on Auckland Healthcare hospitals to provide the more complicated hospital services and treatment.

"The project involves big improvements to the current way services are delivered.

"It holds huge potential for staff, patients, Aucklanders and the rest of New Zealand.

"Not only will the eight storey hospital and new "ambulatory" medical centre mean modern facilities, but they will mean better co-ordination and delivery of patient care.

"For example acutely ill people won ?t be transferred between hospitals as currently happens meaning patient safety is increased.

"The Government is committed to giving the public certainty and confidence that the mix and quality of health services are appropriate to the needs of today and the future, and achieving stability and reliability in service coverage.

"The new hospital developments in central Auckland, and plans for expanded services for the west and north of Auckland are evidence of that commitment,' Mr Creech concluded.

For further information please contact Anna Hughes (04) 4719 819 or (025) 477 987. Attached fact sheet of Auckland Healthcare development.

New Auckland Hospital Development at a Glance

Grafton Road Site

· Combines Auckland, Green Lane and National Women?s Hospitals? inpatient services into a new 710 bed 8-storey complex for acute adult overnight patients.

· Starship Children?s Hospital to be connected to the new hospital to provide access to advanced technology.

· Will also house acute assessment beds and beds for the elderly.

· Redevelops existing Auckland Hospital building for inpatient support services, research, teaching and administration facilities.

· Redevelops the Wallace Block site at Grafton Road as a multi-storey carpark.

· Redevelops the area west of the Islington Block site as a full-service diagnostic laboratory.

· Significantly reduces traffic flows on and around the Grafton site.

Green Lane Site

· Redevelops Green Lane site as a comprehensive Medical Centre specialising in ambulatory care.

· New centre to provide non-urgent medical services, day surgery, outpatient care and rehabilitation.

· Site would include GPs, physiotherapists?, dental surgeons and optometrists? rooms.

A Resource for all New Zealanders

· New Auckland Hospital will provide resources, diagnostic assistance and advice on procedures through a nationwide out-reach service similar to that currently provided by the Starship Oncology Department but offering more acute medical services.