National’s cuts to Nelson’s Hospital rebuild will leave the community with only half the number of new beds than the rebuild Labour planned.

“I’m worried that National’s downgraded plan won’t meet the needs of patients and we’ll soon be back where we started, with the hospital needing to be upgraded in a few years,” Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said.

While in Government, Labour announced $73 million for the first tranche of a major redevelopment of Nelson Hospital, to progress plans for an acute services and in-patient building with 255 beds, eight theatres and a larger emergency department. This would amount to an increase of 92 beds.

“This Government is downgrading what the community needs by only building 41 new overnight and surgical beds and removing five beds from other units.

“They’re spending half the money for half the hospital.

“What other corners will have to be cut to build Nelson Hospital and others around the country, when there is only $1 billion net new money for health capital projects in the Budget?

“That money is not enough to ensure our hospitals are fit for purpose for a growing and ageing population. We will see more corners cut for builds in Nelson and across the country, leaving future generations to pick up the tab,” Ayesha Verrall said.

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