Health minister David Clark today confirmed $20m in Crown funding and the site for the new Buller Health Centre in Westport.
During a visit to Westport today with West Coast Tasman MP Damien O’Connor, David Clark said the latest concept design for the new facility had been accepted, allowing detailed design work to proceed.
"The people of Buller have waited long enough for a modern, purpose-designed health facility,” David Clark said.
“The Government has listened to the public engagement process and the typically direct feedback from Coasters, including input from the clinicians who will work there.
“As a result, I can confirm that the Buller facility will be located on the current hospital site, and that we’ll be increasing the scope of the project to allow for the inclusion of the locally provided Adult Dental Service as well as two additional medical beds.”
Damien O’Connor said today’s announcement was great news for the Coast.
“Today we have reason to celebrate because a fit-for-purpose Buller health facility will be delivered as promised by the Coalition Government.
“I want to thank Dr Clark for listening to feedback and boosting the number of medical beds beyond the initial plan.
“Many people should be proud of their efforts to get a better deal for Buller residents after the previous Government’s determination to penny pinch and entirely ignore the community’s wishes.
“The new facility will be one that the community can be proud of and I’ll be keen to see construction get under way as soon as possible,” Damien O’Connor said.
David Clark said project budget is being set at $20 million, to be funded by the Crown, and continues a series of significant Coalition Government investments in hospital infrastructures.
“In recent weeks, we’ve announced major investments in hospitals from Northland to Auckland to Wellington, and today the West Coast. All New Zealanders deserve access to services which will lead to better health outcomes,’’ said David Clark.
The Government’s major investments in hospitals and health facilities so far this year:
· $275m for Auckland DHB to address significant infrastructure challenges at Auckland City Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre
· $8m for Individualised Service Units at Capital and Coast DHB for our most high needs intellectual disability and mental health patients
· $200m for a new elective surgery unit at Waitematā’s North Shore Hospital
· $24m for new endoscopy and cardiac care capacity at Northland’s Whangarei Hospital
· $45.6m funding for Wellington’s new children’s hospital
· $7.1m for a new outpatients and primary care facility for Bay of Islands Hospital.
· $20m in Crown funding and the site for the new Buller Health Centre in Westport.
