Hospital stage 2 upgrade nears
The second phase of Timaru Hospital’s $1.4 million makeover could begin as early as next year with tenders to go out on two important projects.
The South Canterbury District Health Board will accept bids for upgrades to its outpatient department and its cafe early next year and facilities manager Simon Johnston told the board last week that while the dates for tenders could not be confirmed, planning was well underway for the second phase to commence next year.
Work on the emergency and outpatient departments began in May. Work on the resuscitation area and ambulance bay will also begin on December 2.
Johnston said upgrades were on track as the majority of the work had been completed in the emergency department.
‘‘[It’s] five weeks until the end of the [emergency and outpatient] refurbishment.’’
He said flexibility and communication between the working group and hospital departments has been critical.
‘‘With the areas that are now complete the staff have adapted well to the changes.’’
The work scheduled for December 2 is expected to take 12-16 weeks to complete, Johnston said
The hospital’s helipad project will be ready for construction tendering in the second quarter of next year, Johnston said.
‘‘We are working through time frames for a drone survey to map out ground levels, buildings and tree heights.’’
Meanwhile, the board is looking forward to improving mental health services in the region when its share of $455m over the next four years is made available by the Ministry of Health. Distribution of funds will be announced in the next four to six weeks.
Clinical director of mental health services Cecilia HamelSmith said priorities would include Ma¯ori, youth and Pasifika, services for rural and remote communities and a focus on people living with mental illness.
‘‘There is $455m (nationally) for access and choice across four years. The key features include free access to primary care mental health and addictions services.
‘‘The first year will receive $25m for expansion of existing pilot programmes such as increase staffing and resources,’’ Hamel-Smith said.
SCDHB mental health services manager Kathryn Robinson said the South Canterbury Mental Health and Addictions Alliance is trying to ensure people can access services at their point of need.
‘‘As the money is released the alliance will put forward proposals to be considered, which will enable us to move forward towards our vision.’’