Plans for a new 128-bed inpatient unit at Nelson Hospital have taken another step forward, with Nelson City Council giving the project the go-ahead through resource consent.
The new unit is part of the wider Nelson Hospital Redevelopment, Project Whakatupuranga, and will add at least 41 adult medical and surgical beds to the hospital.
Health New Zealand Nelson Marlborough group director of operations, Phil Wheble, says getting the consent is an important milestone.
“Securing resource consent reflects the significant planning and collaboration that has gone into preparing for our new inpatient unit and gives us certainty as we move into the next phase of delivery.”
The new building will include an acute assessment unit, patient transit lounge and pharmacy, as well as assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services and other supporting facilities.
Work is already happening around the hospital site, with earthworks, piling and ground improvements under way.
Those early works are expected to take about 12 months, with construction of the new inpatient unit to follow.
The redevelopment also includes a multi-storey carpark, expected to get under way early next year, a new plant building and some refurbishment of existing hospital buildings.
Phil says the aim is to increase capacity and give Nelson and Marlborough a more modern hospital campus as the region’s healthcare needs continue to grow.
