Funding boost for Middlemore Hospital
AUCKLAND: The Government has earmarked $80 million towards fixing ‘‘longstanding problems’’ in buildings and infrastructure at Middlemore Hospital and the Manukau SuperClinic.
The funding comes from the $750 million set aside in Budget 2018 to ‘‘tackle some of the most urgent building problems facing hospitals around the country’’.
The Government has allocated well over $600 million of that to date.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the funding announced yesterday would go towards fixing issues, such as leaky hos pital buildings, rot and mould in the walls, and earthquakeprone facilities.
She said these issues were all ‘‘symptoms of years of neglect and underinvestment’’ from the previous government.
Before the Finance Minister unveiled the Government’s first Budget earlier this year, Ms Ardern indicated her desire to address the issues at Middlemore.
She said the Budget would be a ‘‘rebuilding budget’’ and alluded to the leaky buildings and issues with mould at the hospital.
‘‘Improving access to highquality health services provided in worldclass facilities is a priority for the Coalition Govern ment,’’ Ms Ardern said.
‘‘The people and staff of Counties Manukau District Health Board deserve quality facilities that are in a good state of repair.’’
Health Minister David Clark said the announcement was a welcome step in what would be an ongoing process of renewing Middlemore and other DHB facilities.
He added that the funding meant Counties Manukau DHB could plan with certainty and develop business cases for four important projects.
These include:
Recladding the Kidz First Building, as part of an ongoing phased approach to recladding clinical buildings at CMDHB
Relocating the radiology department from the ageing Galbraith building to the Harley Gray building Establishing a radiology hub at the Manukau SuperClinic site (currently patients have to be transferred to Middlemore for CT and MRI services)
Critical infrastructure work at the Manukau SuperClinic including new plant room/substations, IT, medical gases and parking all needed to support the expansion of clinical services in the short to medium term
‘‘These projects will significantly improve the standard of key facilities,’’ Dr Clark said. ‘‘They will also help Counties Manukau DHB better handle a growing population with some of the most challenging health needs in New Zealand.’’ — RNZ