Critical care unit to open after issue resolved

PROBLEMS with Dunedin Hospital’s new $14.8 million Southern critical care unit appear to have been resolved.

The Southern District Health Board is planning to finally fully open the unit next month.

An official opening of the 12bed facility was held last year, but the stateoftheart facilities could not be used after issues were discovered with the airtightness of the ward’s isolation room.

It was meant to be hermetically sealed, but before being com missioned it was discovered air leakage rates were unacceptable.

That room now had a satisfactory level of seal, SDHB specialist services executive director Patrick Ng said.

‘‘Everyone has worked very hard to ensure that the new unit will provide a safe environment for patients and staff.

‘‘Fresh testing carried out after supplementary sealing of the rooms shows they now meet clinical requirements.’’

Not only did the problem delay the opening of the ward, but it also derailed the timetable for stage two of the redevelopment, which includes an extra 10 beds.

‘‘The lessons learnt will be carried over into stage two of the project,’’ Mr Ng said.

‘‘Remodelling an ageing building, which is also a working hospital, is a very challenging task, so any knowledge we can carry forward is of great value.’’

Mr Ng hoped stage two would begin in late March, but could not give a completion date.

The SDHB commissioned an independent engineering assessment of stage one, and has said future decisions on the project would be guided by it.