Drury hospital supported but ‘devil is in detail’

By Jane Nixon, Franklin Instances

Franklin councillor Andy Baker says there’s each pleasure and warning as plans progress for a brand new hospital at Drury, a venture he describes as very important and lengthy overdue.

On October 10, Well being Minister Simeon Brown stated Well being New Zealand is looking for expressions of curiosity from landowners for an acceptable web site for a brand new hospital within the south of the Auckland area.

He stated it marks “a serious milestone in increasing well being infrastructure to fulfill the wants of Auckland’s rising inhabitants”.

“South Auckland is one in all our fastest-growing communities, with important well being challenges,” Brown stated.

“A brand new hospital within the south will assist guarantee Kiwis get well timed, high quality healthcare.”

The positioning finally chosen will want quick access to key transport routes, together with State Freeway 1 and Waihoehoe Highway, to assist sufferers, employees, and guests, Well being NZ says.

Baker says: “All the pieces in healthcare is rarely sufficient or quickly sufficient, so whereas it may have occurred sooner, we have to be grateful it’s lastly transferring forward,” Baker informed the Instances.

“However the satan is within the element.”

Baker says the placement is sensible given Drury’s progress and transport hyperlinks.

“It’s serving an space far wider than Franklin, so proximity to a rail station, SH1 and different main arterial roads ought to be key concerns.

“Drury will in time turn into the biggest city space in Franklin, so we have to take a look at the longer term, not simply what exists now.”

He hopes the brand new facility will present companies that ease strain on bigger hospitals.

“It’s necessary we give our communities nearer entry to most cancers remedy, paediatrics and oncology – the issues we presently must journey lengthy distances for.

“A great variety of beds is necessary, as is the chance to reap the benefits of having Fisher and Paykel Healthcare close by [at East Tamaki],” says Baker.

Group ballot helps location

A current Franklin Instances group survey drew greater than 400 responses, with 82 per cent supporting Drury as the popular hospital web site, with 18 per cent opposed.

Well being NZ has confirmed it’s in search of land in Drury for a large-scale well being precinct to serve the Franklin and southern Auckland area.

The method is being managed by way of a authorities procurement spherical that closes on November 6.

HNZ’s regional head of infrastructure northern, Chris Cardwell, says Drury aligns with projected inhabitants progress and future infrastructure funding.

“The world is anticipated to see important city growth, with tens of hundreds of recent properties deliberate, making it a central level for future healthcare wants.”

The massive-scale venture comes as Middlemore Hospital already serves an in depth and various inhabitants of greater than 300,000 throughout south Auckland.

“Demand on the hospital continues to extend, and its present infrastructure is below important strain,” Cardwell says.

He provides a separate, new city ambulatory hub can also be deliberate for northern Waikato, providing outpatient and day-surgery companies nearer to house and lowering strain on main hospitals.

“Whereas it’s not a full-service hospital, the hub will present a variety of outpatient companies and assist the general community of care within the area.”