The design for a rebuild of Bay of Islands Hospital should get the thumbs-up in the next month with construction on the $10 million project likely to begin next year.
Northland District Health Board's (NDHB) preferred concept for facilities at the Kawakawa hospital site is a ground-floor accident and medical centre, a 19-bed ward on the floor above, and ground-floor access to an adjacent Ngati Hine whanau wellness centre, Te Hauora o Pukepuke Rau.
The health board is footing the full cost of the expected $9.9m clinical centre and ward, with Ngati Hine Health Trust having a separate budget for its adjacent facility.
Compliance requirements, geotechnical work and a change in the sequence for demolishing the old buildings have caused a delay in the construction schedule.
NDHB project spokesman Sam Bartrum said the need to keep the existing hospital and services functioning during the work to date and the proposed build has required additional planning.