Health Minister Reti tours new hospital site

Health Minister Shane Reti said he was pleased to lay eyes on the new Dunedin hospital site today, as he visited for the first time since last year's election. 

Dr Reti said he had "always needed and wanted" to visit the site, among other objectives on his schedule.

The government was committed to building the hospital and was seeking value for money on the project, he said.

"We're looking for expectations on what we're able to deliver and the advantage of me being on site here today is being able to actually see the project in evolution."

After a tour of the outpatient building site, he said he was reassured the build was on track.

He had met with the clinical transformation group, who were pleased with the degree of clinical involvement, he said. 

Dunedin deputy mayor Cherie Lucas says she was encouraged by a meeting with Dr Reti.

“I pressed Dr Reti on whether the government remained committed to its campaign pledge of delivering the New Dunedin Hospital as originally promised.

“Dr Reti told me the government will deliver everything they promised – beds, operating theatres and the PET scanner, which will be part of the fitout stage – and that he wants to see the new facility built ‘sooner rather than later’."