Tony RyallWednesday 07 September 2011, 5:14PM
Media release from health minister Tony Ryall
The Government has approved $15 million for Canterbury District
Health Board to relocate Christchurch Hospital's outpatients unit
and the Acute Medical Assessment Unit.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said, "We have fast-tracked the approval
for this work so that the facilities will be ready in time for the
2012 winter peak in demand.
"The DHB's earthquake recovery plan has identified a need to
increase short to medium term medical bed capacity, and to pull
most of the General Medicine services back on to one site.
"The result will be new facilities that can cope with future growth
in demand for outpatient services, improved medical team
efficiency, and shorter waiting times for patients.
"Funding for the new Acute Medical Assessment Unit and outpatients
facility comes on top of a $16 million Government pledge for the
last financial year to help pay for increased demand on health
services following the quakes.
Mr Ryall said, "The Government wants to thank the dedicated staff
of Canterbury DHB for their ongoing commitment to the people of
Canterbury during difficult times."