- Hon Andrew Little
Health Minister Andrew Little opened a new intensive care space for up to 12 ICU-capable beds at Christchurch Hospital today, funded from the Government's Rapid Hospital Improvement Programme.
"I'm pleased to help mark this milestone. This new space will provide additional critical care support for the people of Canterbury and ensure non-COVID patients are safe when COVID patients are being treated," Health Minister Andrew Little said.
"The project has been completed ahead of schedule and under budget, and is one of 24 hospital upgrades funded through the Rapid Hospital Improvement Programme announced by the Government in December last year.
"The $100 million fund was set up to fast-track modifications to the space including: establishing specific areas for COVID patients, building negative pressure environments for infection control, and air ventilation system upgrades.
"The Labour Government has already put $6 billion into health infrastructure compared to around $1 billion over nine years under the previous government including two whole years when no investment at all was made despite a growing and ageing population.
"We've seen through the pandemic how treating COVID patients affected other treatments due to additional precautions for infection prevention and control. With this space Christchurch Hospital can minimise service disruption and continue to care for patients," Andrew Little said.
Notes:
An additional six projects from the Rapid Hospital Improvement Programme have also reached practical completion:
- Kaitaia Hospital - Development of dedicated 6-bed pandemic response inpatient ward, and oxygen system upgrade.
- North Shore Hospital - Creation of isolation rooms in Maternity (2), 22 bed Ward conversion for COVID-19 treatment, and Emergency Department entry segregation and patient flow improvements.
- Taranaki Base Hospital - Pandemic ward conversion of existing 24-bed and 29-bed wards for COVID-19 treatment. Negative pressure conversions for 2 maternity rooms and 2 secure mental health rooms.
- Nelson Hospital - ICU separation through floor to ceiling partitioning/doors and some additional ancillary requirements such as storage etc. Negative air flow to a number of rooms will also be required. Hospital Partitioning in ED, air management enhancements and toilet & shower for 'orange' zone patients.
- Wellington Hospital - Repurpose outpatients open plan area for 12 ED beds (+12 beds).
