Eight-year hospital redevelopment brings world-class facilities to Cantabrians

Eight years, $130 million dollars and four new buildings – St George’s redevelopment is now complete, making it one of the most well-equipped private hospitals in New Zealand.

New facilities include digital operating theatres using the same 4K technology as Hollywood blockbuster movies; Christchurch’s only private hospital-based intensive care and isolation unit; cancer treatment facilities; and purpose-built spinal injury rooms designed with input from tetraplegia patients.

The final stage of the redevelopment – the Cressy Wing – opens later this month, housing more state-of-the-art operating theatres, a new maternity centre, education facilities, medical supply store and hospital laundry.

Cressy Wing is one of four new buildings at St George’s built since 2012, replacing those damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes.

Chief Executive Officer Greg Brooks says the opening of Cressy Wing is a significant milestone for the Hospital and Cantabrians.

“When embarking on this redevelopment we were committed to investing in the latest healthcare innovations and state-of-the-art equipment, for the direct benefit of our patients,” says Greg.

“Our advanced theatre technology means St George’s can provide patients with access to lifesaving and complex surgery, further supported by our 24/7, onsite intensive care specialists.

“For example, a team of 10 specialists successfully removed a rare spinal tumour impacting the heart and lungs of a 34-year-old mum of four. The 14-hour surgery was performed at St George’s because we could provide the necessary co-ordination of the teams plus the technology and ICU support.”

All of St George’s operating theatres – including those in the new Cressy Wing – are now equipped with world-leading 4K technology, which has been referred to internationally as the ‘era of big screen surgery’. The 4K imaging system provides surgeons with unparalleled vision inside the human body via large screens in the operating theatre. The same technology has been used to make Hollywood blockbuster movies.

St George’s Hospital was also one of the first in New Zealand to install a high-definition surgical video system, using similar technology to Disney Pixar animators. It maximises the amount of detail a surgeon can see.

Perioperative Services Manager Ali Perry says the system is an exciting advancement for the Hospital.

“The display technology provides the most accurate, highest resolution surgical video which is particularly important for image-guided procedures. It is about providing the surgeon with the tools to make the right decision at the right time, ultimately leading to superior clinical outcomes.”

The new buildings at St George’s Hospital feature a base isolation system sourced from the United States. This means the buildings, which sit on rubber pads, can move up to 650mm in any direction – reducing the amount the buildings flex during an earthquake, protecting people and equipment inside.

The Hospital has remained operational throughout the whole redevelopment.

St George’s is holding a community open day this Saturday 21 November between 12 noon and 4.00 pm (last tour leaves at 3.00 pm). The open day is an opportunity to tour the Hospital’s new Cressy Wing before it opens.

Background:

St George’s Hospital, one of the largest private hospitals in New Zealand, suffered damage during the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. It embarked on a four stage redevelopment project in 2012, which resulted in the construction of four new buildings:

• A purpose-built radiation treatment facility at St George’s Cancer Care Centre (completed in 2016)
• A four-storey atrium, reception, day surgery admission, theatre tearoom, staff lunchroom and chapel (completed in 2016)
• A four-storey Randolph Wing, housing radiology, operating theatres, instrument sterilising services, intensive care and high dependency units (completed in 2017)
• A four-storey Cressy Wing, housing a new maternity centre, state-of-the-art operating theatres, laundry and medical supply store (opening end of November 2020)

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