Plans for a five-level private hospital and ‘healthcare precinct’ at Wānaka’s Three Parks have been outlined in a resource consent application lodged with Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) last week.

The plans by Wānaka-based investment company Roa - and designed by architects Warren and Mahoney - centre on a 6,300m2 private surgical hospital, on the corner of Sir Tim Wallis Drive and Deering Street.

The additional ‘health precinct’ will include four new buildings for a mix of allied medical services such as consulting, procedural and treatment rooms, with hospitality and retail offerings at ground level, application documents said.

A 19.5 metre tall commercial building has also been approved for the opposite corner of Sir Tim Wallis Drive and Deering Street. Roa says its four-storey mixed use commercial building, Aspiring House, will offer street level retail and upper-level office space. 

‘Meeting local health needs’

The current application claims the proposal will “provide significant regional benefits, by helping to meet the current and future health needs of the Upper Clutha and Queenstown Lakes' rapidly growing population”.

It says the proposal has the potential to increase private sector competition and innovation; reduce the number of people travelling to Dunedin, Invercargill, or Christchurch for healthcare; and benefit the region’s economy by supporting population growth and creating employment.

The hospital (left) includes a helipad.

The hospital would “provide surgical services for the wider region, and the allied health buildings have the potential to provide a wide range of health services”, from optometry to acupuncture, and health coaching to medical research.

But what of the provision of publicly-funded health services, which Roa CEO Mike Saegers told the Wānaka App was “an absolute priority” when the project was first revealed in May this year?

The application says it does not include public health services, although the hospital could be expanded in the future, something which “could enable an integration of future public health services”.

It goes on to say that Roa “is open to public health services being provided as part of the proposed health precinct”, adding, however, that “any decisions about this are for Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora”.

Private vs publicly funded care

In May, Mike told the Wānaka App that Roa was “looking at all options” and engaging with the public health sector about ways to provide publicly funded health care. 

“Ultimately, we’re building what’s within our control, which is a five-level hospital, four operating theatres, 70 plus beds and a 24 hour emergency department,” he said.

Health services were top of mind for local elected representatives at the time, following a packed public meeting on the topic facilitated by the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board.

When Roa’s hospital plans were first announced, key stakeholders said they would continue to advocate for publicly-funded health services.

Health Action Wānaka (HAW) spokesperson Monique Mayze said the community needs to “continue advocating hard to ensure the provision of, and access to, actual healthcare services is equitable and benefits everyone”. 

The proposed view from Deering Street through the pedestrian street.

QLDC deputy mayor Quentin Smith said he would “keep advocating for public services to come alongside” the planned health precinct, and mayor Glyn Lewers said he was disappointed that Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora had not provided a “roadmap” to meet the entire population’s health needs.

“Providing access to effective services for everyone in our community is paramount,” he said. 

Read more: A ‘void’ in health care planning as private plans proliferate

A Te Whatu Ora spokesperson told the Wānaka App earlier this year that, while it is committed to working with community leaders and others to design and deliver services that meet the community’s health needs, “this needs to be balanced across other planning processes within Health NZ”. 

“Planning for the Otago/Southland area is part of our national, whole-of-system approach to delivering healthcare services,” she said.

She noted that the private Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital in Queenstown has undertaken publicly-funded surgeries for some orthopaedic, ophthalmology, plastics, urology, and general surgery patients.

“Health New Zealand Southern currently outsources some planned care surgical procedures to the private healthcare sector, as we work hard to reduce surgery wait times.” 

Next steps

Roa’s hospital project missed out on the government’s Fast Track Bill in October, but Mike told the Wānaka App he remained focused on delivering the “straightforward” consent application. 

The now-submitted proposal requires a non-complying activity land use consent under the Proposed District Plan. Roa has volunteered that it be publicly notified.

The plans are being considered by QLDC. 

IMAGES: Supplied

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