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Stage One Open Day A Success

Marlborough residents turned out in force for the first look at the new facilities on offer in Stage One of Wairau Hospital Redevelopment in Blenheim.

Comments from some of the 900 people who attended the open day were "stunning", "it’s a lot bigger inside than you imagine", "a wonderful facility".

The new facilities were blessed in a dawn ceremony on Friday (22/05).

Hospital services that will move into the new facilities this week are: Allied Health on Monday, Medical Inpatients and Assessment Treatment and Rehabilitation on Tuesday, and Surgical Inpatients on Wednesday.

Stage Two of the redevelopment also started this week with services from Arthur Wicks building progressively relocated to allow refurbishment for the Emergency Department, High Dependency Unit and six-bed Acute Assessment Unit.

Construction of Stage Two of the redevelopment is due to be completed in December 2009, with occupation following early in 2010.

Project Director Martin Ridgway said, "Everyone who has contributed to the project is very pleased with the facility. This is a credit to staff in the user groups, contractors, and managers who have all worked together to create a facility that staff and community are rightfully proud of."

He said the positive feedback from the Open Day on Saturday was wonderful to receive. "It reinforced how important this hospital is to the Marlborough community. The interest came from all spheres; some people wanted to orientate themselves before appointments or procedures and others thought it might be their only opportunity to see the hospital as they were in such good health."

Stage One of the redevelopment was started in July 2008.

The chapel will hold an opening service and blessing on Thursday June 4, 2009.

Project Timeline

Enabling (demolition/preparation of the site) works commence	April 2008
Preliminary Design Complete	June 2008
Construction Design Complete (Phase 1 user groups – New Build)	July 2008
New build construction commences	September 2008
Refurbishment of other areas commence	May 2009
All construction complete	December 2010