Rangiora urgent care facility progressing

Rangiora’s proposed after hours healthcare facility is going to be expanded to incorporate a full radiology service.

It will mean a redesign of the site to add an extra 500 square metres.

An agreement was signed with Pacific Radiology on Wednesday to offer a full range of radiological services including ultrasound, CT and MRI scans.

There is still no confirmed opening date.

The Rangiora Medical Centre, next to the existing Rangiora Health Hub, is expected to operate seven days a week from 8am to 10pm, providing general practice, pharmacy and urgent care.

Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon and Waitaha Primary Health chairperson Dr Lorna Martin provided an update the Rangiora-Ashley Community Board at Wednesday evening’s (April 12) meeting, while South Link Health Group chief executive Karl Andrews and clinical advisor Murray Tilyard joined the meeting via Zoom.

Mr Andrews said he hoped to begin work on the site in September, with an opening date for late next year or early 2025.

The former Canterbury District Health Board entered into an agreement with South Link Health Group to build an after hours facility by the end of 2022.

But it had been delayed due to Covid and issues with removing asbestos from the site during demolition, which impacted on the consent process, Mr Andrews said.

‘‘The delay has added significant costs to the construction estimates as prices have risen sharply over the last year, but we remain focused on the delivery of this project.’’