By FRANCESCA MOLDhealth reporter
Dozens of sick children gazed from the windows of South Auckland's new Kidz First hospital as crowds gathered below for the official opening last night.
It has been four years since the idea of a new state-of-the-art hospital for children was mooted by South Auckland health workers.
But the dream became a reality only after hospital heads took a gamble by raising $20 million in loans from the private sector.
South Auckland Health chief executive David Clarke described last night's opening as a "watershed occasion."
"It's been four years since we asked the tough question: should we have the healthcare of our children delivered in wards designed in World War I and built during World War II?"
The South Auckland health foundation still needs to raise $4 million to complete the project, although children moved into the facility in July.
The 82-bed hospital houses surgical and medical wards and a specialist burns and plastic surgery unit. It is also linked to Middlemore Hospital's new emergency department, which has a children's unit. Since the new emergency department opened its doors two weeks ago, patient numbers have risen by 20 per cent.
Prime Minister Helen Clark unveiled a plaque last night commemorating the opening of Kidz First. She said the facility epitomised the move towards including families and the community in the care of sick children.
Helen Clark also said a lot of public money would go into the facility, but acknowledged that there had been a great deal of support from the private sector, including companies and charities.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Dr Terepai Maoate also praised the facility for providing care for South Auckland's Pacific Islanders.
Children watch as hospital launched
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