Spades hit the ground at Nelson Hospital this morning as the first sod was turned to mark the start of early works for a new 128-bed inpatient unit.
The building will provide at least 41 additional adult medical and surgical beds and include an acute assessment unit, patient transit lounge, pharmacy, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services, as well as back-of-house functions.
Health Minister Simeon Brown says the work marks the start of stage two of the Nelson Hospital Redevelopment, funded through Budget 2025.
Alongside the inpatient unit, the project will include a multi-storey car park, a plant building and targeted refurbishment of existing hospital facilities to help meet the healthcare needs of Nelson Marlborough's growing population.
"We know how important the redevelopment of Nelson Hospital is for the Nelson and Marlborough communities. Today is the most significant milestone yet for the project and for the communities it will serve," Simeon says.
"Nelson Hospital is under increasing pressure from a growing and ageing population, and a shortage of beds is putting pressure on the services delivered such as elective treatment.
"For years the Nelson community was promised this redevelopment, but it did not progress. Our Government committed to it last year, and we are getting on and delivering it.
"Construction will begin with service diversions, bulk earthworks, piling, and ground improvements to prepare the site for the new building.
"This phase is expected to take about 12 months, and procurement for the head contractor is progressing alongside it. From late 2027, Nelson will start to see the building rise on the site.”
Meanwhile, progress is also visible on the hospital campus, with the first modules for a new 28-bed interim inpatient unit arriving on site.
The unit will provide extra inpatient capacity while the wider redevelopment continues.
Manufactured off site over the past five months, the seven modules will form a 1200sqm building.
Once all modules are installed, crews will focus on weatherproofing, connecting services, completing the internal fit-out and commissioning the facility.
Health New Zealand Nelson Marlborough group director operations Phil Wheble says the projects represent significant progress for Nelson Hospital and the wider community.
"Together, these projects represent significant progress for Nelson Hospital and our community, helping ensure we can continue to meet growing demand while delivering for the future," Phil says.
The new inpatient unit is due to be operational in 2030.
