Newcentre given blessing

Construction of the new medical and injury centre at Nelson Hospital has begun with a blessing ceremony.

Hospital chaplin Rev Debbie Smith and Archdeacon Andy Joseph yesterday blessed the site, adjacent to the hospital’s emergency department in Waimea Rd.

Project manager and business development manager Keith Rusholme said they were looking to have the new centre open and functioning by the end of October.

‘‘It’s been a couple of years [getting to this point]. We were trying to figure out the best location for this service.’’

It would only be an interim location, though, Mr Rusholme said, because the building’s future purpose was to be used for orthopaedic outpatients.

‘‘The demand for orthopaedics is growing quite considerably.’’

The medical and injury centre is now at 96 Waimea Rd, but the rooms were not ideal, he said.

The new facility would offer more room and would be shared with orthopaedics, which is currently alongside the emergency department. ‘‘It will also further develop the relationships between primary and secondary care.’’

Nelson GPs’ spokesman Graham Loveridge said the new building was ‘‘absolutely fantastic’’.

‘‘It’s a great chance for a collaborative project between primary and secondary services.’’ It meant they could offer support to the emergency department.

The new facility would have much improved facilities, as well as enough space for students and teaching, he said.

Nelson firm Anchor Construction is completing the building.

Mr Rusholme said the hospital was working to a two to three-year time frame for finding a permanent home for the medical and injury centre and moving orthopaedics into the new building.