National calls for a ‘credible plan’ to replace the earthquake-prone building at Middlemore Hospital

Jared Williamson/Staff

The Galbraith Building at Middlemore Hospital, on Hospital Road in Ōtāhuhu, is home to the hospital’s maternity services and maternity unit.

NPP health spokesman Dr Shane Ritty said the government needed a credible plan to replace an earthquake-prone building at Middlemore Hospital which had been described as a potential public hazard in 2018.

The Galbraith Building, on Hospital Road in tāhuhu, is home to the hospital’s maternity services and maternity unit.

An independent report in 2018 found that the building was vulnerable to earthquakes, and it was estimated at the time that repairs would take two or three years to complete and cost $74 million.

But in November, Manukau Health Districts decided to replace the building instead, after taking into account changes in health care, the age of the facility, and the fact that it contained significant amounts of asbestos.

Read more: * Manukau DHB says earthquake-prone building won’t be replaced until 2035-2040 * Manukau DHB considers relocation of cancer services out of earthquake-prone building * Galbraith Building in Middlemore confirmed to be earthquake-prone, repair will cost more than $74 million * The maternity unit at Middlemore Hospital poses seismic risks

However, she said the new building may be more than 15 years away.

Reti said the projected time frame for Manukau Health Districts to replace the facility was too far into the future.

“This is ridiculous,” he said. “There has to be a credible plan to replace it and there has to be something faster than that.

“We need buildings fit for purpose and there is no doubt that this needs to be addressed. But what is the government’s plan and where does it lie in terms of its priorities?”

Rity said the fact that Middlemore is one of the busiest hospitals in the country and has high population needs means that such projects should not be put behind.

“Hospital infrastructure has needed attention for some time. But from 2018 to date, it is not clear that any significant progress has been made in improving infrastructure across the sector.”

Robert Kitchen / Stuff

NPP Health Spokesman Dr. Shane Reti says the projected time frame for Manukau Health Districts to replace the earthquake-prone facility is too long.

He said that since DHBs will cease to exist under the government’s health reforms from July 1, that means any plans for new projects will be left to Health NZ to decide.

Had Andrew Little not spent $486 million on plumbing repairs, perhaps the Galbraith Building could have been fixed?

In a statement, the Manukau County Health Spokesperson said he plans to demolish the building by 2035, but was unable to give a deadline on when to move services.

They said Manukau counties are still developing a feasibility study for future facilities at Middlemore Hospital, including services currently at the facility.

Robert Kitchen / Stuff

Health Secretary Andrew Little says work is already underway to move some services from the Galbraith Building to other parts of Middlemore Hospital, or Manukau Health Park.

Health Secretary Andrew Little said work was already underway to move some services from the Galbraith Building to other parts of Middlemore Hospital, or Manukau Health Park.

Because Auckland has a lower earthquake risk than other parts of the country, he said, DHB would have 35 years to replace the building from the time it received the rectification notice.

Little said Health New Zealand’s Health Infrastructure Unit is assessing the seismic risks of properties in the public health sector.

“Over the next two years, Health New Zealand will develop New Zealand’s first Health Plan, which will be supported by an investment plan to prioritize infrastructure investments across the country.”

But Little declined to answer questions about whether funding to replace the Galbraith Building needed urgent consideration and whether the DHB’s 15-year timeframe was acceptable.

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