Community invited to opening of redeveloped Kaitaia Hospital

The Far North community is invited to share in the celebrations as the redeveloped Kaitaia Hospital and Medical Centre is officially opened.

The opening will take place on Tuesday, 4 December 2007. The day will consist of a dawn ceremony to bless the new building, a formal opening ceremony later in the morning and an open day for the local community.

The guest of honour will be the Honourable Annette King, Minister of Justice, who was Minister of Health when the Kaitaia Hospital review process began. Minister King will unveil a commemorative plaque.

Long-serving hospital staff member Chris Baucke and Dr John Bradley, a Kaitaia GP whose practice will be the first to move into the new GP rooms, will cut the ribbon to open the new facility.

The extensive, $11.9 million redevelopment includes the following new additions:

·         Main entrance

·         After-hours facility

·         Acute assessment area

·         GP rooms

·         Outpatient clinics

·         New, relocated radiology department

·         Day surgery on first floor

·         Whare hui/meeting room

·         New and extended parking areas.

It also includes:

·         Renovated general ward, with a new patient courtyard

·         Renovated children's ward, with a new play area

·         Renovated maternity unit.

Construction work on the redevelopment began in early 2006 with renovations to the maternity unit, which reopened in May 2006. The work has been completed on schedule and local contractors have been used wherever possible.

The inclusion of GP rooms in the complex is the first step towards creating a "one-stop-shop" for Far North health services. The long-term plan is to co-locate all Kaitaia GPs at the hospital, creating strong links between GPs and the hospital and providing ease of access for patients.

Karen Roach, Northland DHB's Chief Executive, said: "We hope that many people in the Far North will join with us in celebrating the opening of this fantastic new facility. It signals a major step forward for health services for the northern part of the district and underlines the DHB's commitment to providing quality services across Northland.

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to record my thanks to all those who have been involved with this major project, including staff, volunteers, contractors and community members who have assisted with the planning and design process. I would also like to thank patients and the community generally, who have co-operated with all the changes necessary during the construction period."

The day will begin with a 5am ceremony to bless the building. The formal opening starts at 10am, and from approximately 12 noon to 2pm the community will have a chance to look round the hospital and see the services that are provided. There will be displays by health service providers and refreshment stalls will be available.





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For further information, please contact:

Clare Blackburn, Communications Manager

Northland District Health Board 

Phone (09) 430 4101 ext 3315