PM opens new facilities at Waikato Hospital

Prime Minister Helen Clark, speaking at the opening of new facilities at Waikato Hospital, said her Government was committed to investing more in health.

The new entrance buildings and additional car parks at the hospital were part of the Waikato District Health Board's $215 million redevelopment programme.

Helen Clark said the Waikato Hospital work was one of 32 major building projects in the public health system done or under way under her Government.

"More than $1.5 billion has been invested in major capital projects in the public health system since 1999. Major projects approved in the nine years prior to 1999 amounted to less than one-third of the investment we have since made in this area."

Seven new hospitals were built and eight refurbished since 2000. A further 10 specialist facilities were built; three more redevelopment projects were almost complete; and a further four major capital projects for hospital redevelopments were under way.

A Hutt Valley DHB plan to spend more than $80 million redeveloping its accident and emergency department and theatres was recently approved.

- NZPA