Thirty years after he was the Minister of Health, Bob Tizard has taken up a role in a massive hospital rebuilding project.
As an Auckland District Health Board volunteer, the 79-year-old will help patients and visitors find their way around the new Auckland City Hospital at Grafton.
The hospitaland the new Greenlane Clinical Centre, the main parts of the $450 million rebuilding project, will open progressively from October 4.
The Starship's new children's emergency department opened in June in a new building that links the Starship to Auckland City Hospital.
Mr Tizard has taken a keen interest in the hospital project.
"I live in Grafton Rd. I walk the dog around here pretty well every morning.
"I have seen the progress of the hospital building and ... I'm left feeling that it's going to be a shambles when they move in. If there's a way of overcoming it, let's try."
He is one of 100 volunteers who will help to ease the transition. The board wants a further 200 who are able to contribute four hours a week for six months or more.
In three shifts between 9.30am and 7.30pm, they will run six helpdesks at the Grafton and Greenlane sites, hand out maps, give directions and, if there are enough of them, escort people.
"It's to reduce the stress, anxiety and confusion," said volunteers manager Geraldine Elliott.
* People who want to be considered for the programme are invited to call (09) 375-7095
