Media release from Northland DHB

The developed design for the new 25 bed mental health unit at Whangarei Hospital was approved by the Northland DHB Board at its meeting held on 21 June 2010.  

Northland DHB Chair, Tony Norman says Whangarei Hospital's new $25 million mental health unit is well on track and we are delighted with the progress to date.  The design team has been working closely with staff and we are confident that the new facility will be finished on time, within budget and in scope.

"A two stage tendering process has commenced and selection of the main building contractor is underway.  The deadline for expressions of interest was 21 June.  Those who have expressed an interest will have the 'Expression of Interest' document sent to them shortly and upon receipt, responses will then be assessed and evaluated."

A shortlist of contractors will then be invited to submit a formal RFT or request for tender.  The main building contractor is expected to be appointed in late September and works will commence on site at Whangarei Hospital in October 2010.  The building is expected to be completed and operational by December 2011.

There are five design phases during a buildings development - concept design, preliminary design, developed design, detailed design and construction design.  The developed design phase is where the scope of each component in the design is clearly defined and coordinated. This may involve production of detailed information including sketch details of all significant components and their interrelationships.  Developed design generally provides sufficient information for the client/user to clearly understand the aesthetics and functionality of the building, internal spaces and facilities.

Chief executive, Karen Roach is pleased with progress to date.  

"Senior consultants and various clinical teams have been working closely with the building team considering models of care and patient pathways - how patients will move through the new facility as they undergo care and treatment."

"Building this new facility has given our clinical teams an opportunity to consider layout improvements and has I suspect been a bit of an eye opener for some, in particular the never-ending level of detail one has to go through," said Mrs Roach.

The mental health in-patient unit is planned to have two seven bed general wards that can be split into three and four bed sub-wards if required.  There is a four bed elderly ward and a separate two bed child and youth area.  Two swing beds can be included in the general, elderly or child and youth area as required.  There is a three bed intensive care area with its own lounge.  The unit will also contain a gym and a multi-disciplinary team room, adding to the flexibility of the unit.  

To find out more about the new unit and keep updated with building development changes, a building project website has been developed.  The website contains information about the build, its layout, pre-construction and construction photos and includes a project update subscribe option to receive regular newsletters.  To learn more about the project visit http://redevelopment.northlanddhb.org.nz/.