A National Government will prioritise the replacement of Nelson Hospital and provide a facility that is earthquake-proof and fit for purpose, National Party Leader Hon Judith Collins says.

“Nelson needs new hospital buildings and National will deliver them.

“Labour’s failure to deliver on its promises over the Otago Hospital are a warning to us all about the complexity and challenges over hospital design.

National will prioritise the upgrade of Nelson Hospital starting with community consultation in 2021, and then pending progress, design in 2022 and consenting and contractor selection in 2023.

“We will focus on delivery of a suitable facility that meets the needs of Nelson for decades to come,” Dr Smith says.

“Nelson’s main hospital buildings do not meet earthquake standards, have insufficient beds for the region’s growing population and are not of an acceptable standard for patients or health professionals.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to access world class healthcare regardless of income, background or postcode. National is investing in our future by delivering improvements to our public health system that will help generations to come.

“National rewrote the earthquake prone building laws and standards in 2017 in response to the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes. These rightly prioritise the upgrade of hospitals and Nelson must be completed by 2028.

“National is the party of infrastructure. Today’s announcement is about ensuring New Zealanders have access to a world class health care facility regardless of income, background or postcode.”