Sue Wards
31 January 2025, 4:06 PM
Local elected representatives have welcomed certainty around Dunedin’s hospital rebuild but confirmed that advocacy for local health services will not stop.
Health minister Simeon Brown confirmed on Friday (January 31) the government will downsize the Dunedin Hospital inpatient building from the original proposal, but provide a capacity to expand.
The new hospital will provide 16 fewer overnight beds than the current hospital and 59 fewer than the design approved in 2022. The new plan will, however, provide more theatres and emergency department capacity.
Read more: Dunedin to get scaled-back hospital, Health Minister Simeon Brown confirms
Significant public backlash followed last year’s government announcement that it was considering scaling back plans for the new hospital, including in Wānaka, where a protest march attracted around 300 people.
Queenstown Lakes District mayor Glyn Lewers told the Wānaka App yesterday it was positive to see the minister “providing certainty on what is to be built”.
“Without seeing the detail, my initial reflection [is] it is a pragmatic response,” he said.
“My focus is on securing the appropriate health services we need as a district, closer to home.”
Glyn said there will be a combined Otago and Southland mayors forum next Wednesday (February 5) in Queenstown which would provide an opportunity for the Southern mayors to discuss the announcement.
Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) chair Simon Telfer also welcomed Friday’s announcement after months of uncertainty on the future of the regional hospital.
Wānaka residents marched in opposition to the possibility of a scaled-back hospital build in September 2024. PHOTO: Wānaka App
Speaking as chair rather than on behalf of the board (which has not yet discussed the issue), Simon said he hoped construction would meet the timeframe outlined (construction to resume by the middle of the year, completion by 2031 at the latest).
“Having a tertiary level hospital in the region is important for those living in the Upper Clutha,” Simon said.
“But the advocacy continues for our community to be able to access equitable hospital level care closer to home too - either in Wānaka or Cromwell.”
Health care advocacy group Health Action Wānaka (HAW) told the Wānaka App the group was “cautiously optimistic” about the announcement.
“While we recognise the scope of the build announced today is not what was promised, it is certainly a better outcome than the significant downgrade that had been mooted by the government in September last year,” HAW steering committee chair Monique Mayze said, adding the group would take a firmer position once it had learnt more.
“A fit-for-purpose tertiary hospital in Dunedin is essential for people living in the Upper Clutha, alongside equitable access to publicly funded local services, which we will continue to advocate for,” she said.