Government confirms $20m investment in new Westport health centre

Monday, 19 November 2018

More than a thousand people marched in Westport in 2017 to protest the proposed Buller Integrated Family Health Centre. They want a 'fit for purpose' hospital instead.

Westport will get a new $20 million health centre, with 12 beds to replace the existing Buller Hospital.

Health Minister David Clark has gone to Westport to announce funding and the site for the new Buller Health Centre.

The announcement brings the number of beds to 12, up from 10 proposed by the previous National Government. It had allocated $12m to build the ACC-owned facility, which the community marched in protest against last year.

The Buller Hospital Action Group had been campaigning for 16 beds for the district's 10,500 residents, of which about 17 per cent are aged over 65. Westport is 1.5 hours drive from Grey Hospital and four hours from Christchurch. The town's existing hospital has 35 beds, including 20 for aged care. Aged care is now solely provided by O'Conor Home.

* Government sticks with plans for New Buller IFHC

* Community waiting for update on Government's promised Buller Hospital

* Westport Health Centre to replace Buller Hospital

* Faltering construction firm blamed as another Govt project delayed**

Clark said the latest concept design for the new facility had been accepted, allowing detailed design work to proceed.

'The people of Buller have waited long enough for a modern, purpose-designed health facility.

'The Government has listened to the public engagement process and the typically direct feedback from Coasters, including input from the clinicians who will work there.

'As a result, I can confirm that the Buller facility will be located on the current hospital site, and that we'll be increasing the scope of the project to allow for the inclusion of the locally provided Adult Dental Service as well as two additional medical beds.'

Labour West Coast MP Damien O'Connor said the fit-for-purpose Buller health facility was delivered as promised by the coalition Government.

'I want to thank Dr Clark for listening to feedback and boosting the number of medical beds beyond the initial plan,' he said.

'Many people should be proud of their efforts to get a better deal for Buller residents after the previous Government's determination to penny pinch and entirely ignore the community's wishes.'