Health
1News

'I know that's ambitious' - Dunedin's long-awaited new hospital to be fast-tracked

New Health Minister David Clark is determined to live up to Labour's election promises.

Dunedin's long-awaited new hospital will be fast-tracked with the new Minister of Health confirming his commitment to the project.

David Clark was one of the previous government's harshest critics over delays in the development and is determined to live up to Labour's election promises.

Clark wants to start the construction of the hospital in Labour's first term.

"I know that's ambitious. I make no bones about the fact that's ambitious but Dunedin Hospital is in dire need of an upgrade, it has been for a long time, and Dunedin has put up with considerable delay under the previous government," he said.

When the previous government announced their plans for the rebuild five weeks before the election, they were run out of the hospital itself by protesters.

One of the contentious aspects of National's package was a desire for a public-private partnership.

But that's now off the table.

"Definitely no PPP for Dunedin, that will be my clear instruction to officials, and it's a promise we made at the election and one we hope to keep," Mr Clark says.

The new Minister of Health also wants to reinstate the Southern District Health Board at the next local body elections in 2019.

It was sacked two years ago under National, after failing to make budget.

Association of Salaried medical Professionals executive director Ian Powell says a reinstated board would aid confidence in the construction.

"The Southern DHB has gone through a very difficult time but I think a managed return of an elected board is timely given these circumstances, it will provide more confidence," Powell says.

With a $1 billion price tag, the hospital build is set to be the biggest infrastructure project of its kind in the country.

SHARE ME

More Stories