The sensitivity and importance of Dunedin Hospital's radiology department has been highlighted in a contract document seeking bids for work to keep it operational.
In March, the Otago Daily Times reported the department needed a retrofitted ventilation system because the existing one cannot be serviced because of asbestos in the ceiling. If the work was not carried out, the entire department would have to find a temporary home and wait for a new hospital to be built.
Now, the Southern District Health Board is trying to find a firm to do the retrofitting.
Its request-for-proposal document says Beca has designed a new system, and another firm is required to install it in a ''live clinical environment''.
''The radiology department is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year diagnostic service and it is critically important that the construction environment is completely contained.
''This is an opportunity to be part of a key project already in the public eye; ensuring the ongoing availability of a crucial department to the southern population,'' the document says.
Most of the work would need to be conducted outside usual working hours.
''All construction activities must cease in sufficient time to enable a clinical clean to be undertaken prior to handover to the staff each morning.''
The work would be carried out from July to November.
''It is important to the DHB to contain works to one area at a time to minimise disruption to services, access issues, and cleaning overheads.
''Given the urgency of this project, Southern DHB will be expecting a high level of progress transparency,'' the document says.
Requirements included providing a traffic management plan to enable equipment and plant delivery.
''Of particular note is the need to crane materials on to a roof from an area accessed by ambulances and other emergency services.''
