The government is giving $8.8 million to Hawke's Bay Hospital to undergo seismic strengthening. Photo / File
The government is giving $8.8 million to Hawke's Bay Hospital to undergo seismic strengthening. Photo / File
Hawke's Bay Hospital has been granted $8.8 million to undertake seismic strengthening on its theatre block.
Hawke's Bay District Health Board CEO Kevin Snee said the funding was great news, as Hawke's Bay is a high seismic risk area and it was important hospital buildings like operating theatres were ableto function effectively, even after a significant event.
The new seismic strengthening requirement for the theatre block had arisen as the district health board prepared a business case to build a new, eighth theatre.
"Learnings of how buildings withstand significant seismic activity changes continually and with a new theatre planned, new building standard requirements meant some strengthening work was needed in theatres and the hospital's acute assessment unit.
"We are pleased to receive this funding from government, which means we can strengthen the building and continue with our plans to build a new theatre.
"As part of the DHB's detailed business case for an additional eighth theatre fit-out and acute assessment unit refurbishment, the DHB commissioned detailed seismic assessments.
"As a result, to bring the theatre block and acute assessment unit in line with the new building standards, strengthening work is required to ensure these buildings are able to function effectively after a major event."
He said the Government had inherited a catalogue of building issues at hospitals across the country and it would take many years to fix.
The funding comes from capital contingency set aside in the 2018 budget.
Work on the theatre block is due to start in 2020. The acute assessment unit is expected to be completed by 2021.
