Project Whakatupuranga – Nelson Hospital Redevelopment

Planning underway for the Project Whakatupuranga - Nelson Hospital redevelopment

Nelson Hospital is the largest of two secondary hospitals in the Nelson Marlborough region, providing healthcare services to a growing and aging population.

Approval to redevelop the hospital and future-proof it for decades to come now means the Nelson Hospital redevelopment can begin initial design and enabling works for an Acute Services Building. This is the first stage in a six-phase project, to be carried out over 10 years.

About Project Whakatupuranga

There are a number of reasons for redevelopment including the unacceptable seismic risk to the acute clinical services buildings which would be unable to withstand a significant earthquake, jeopardising the ability to provide patients with post-disaster health services.

As part of our planning, we also wish to ensure that the hospital has the capacity required to address the changing population and health needs of the region and the facility is configured to meet contemporary models of care.

The focus of this redevelopment is to introduce more efficient and effective models of health care. We will increase capacity to meet the future demand of Nelson’s growing and ageing population.

Design for the Nelson hospital redevelopment will incorporate technology and processes to improve efficiency, enhance patient and staff experience, and benefit generations of people across the Te Tau Ihu / Top of the South.

The Nelson Hospital redevelopment will be approached in phases

Due to the large scale and scope of the redevelopment, a phased approach will be taken.

Phase 1: enabling works and design for Phase 2 facilities

Phase 2: final design stages, and construction of a new IL4 Acute Services Building containing critical acute services and wards, including:

• A larger Emergency Department
• A total of 255 beds
• 8 theatres
• An integrated energy centre

Phases 3 to 6: refurbishment and re-purposing of existing buildings.

Estimated Timelines

• Detailed Business Case late 2025
• Construction of the new Acute Services Building
• ASB operational in 2031
• Completion of refurbishment of other buildings by 2032 and 2033.

Publications

We will regularly publish information in relation to Project Whakatupuranga - Nelson Hospital Redevelopment.

Weblinks

Follow the links below for more relevant information about the redevelopment of Nelson Hospital

Cabinet Material: Nelson Hospital Redevelopment | Ministry of Health NZ