New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science former president Terry Taylor’s comments come after new Health Minister Simeon Brown’s announcement on Friday the government would proceed with a scaled-down version of the new hospital within a $1.88 billion budget.
"I’ve always said that the inpatient building needed to be concentrated on," Mr Taylor said.
"But that was on the premise that we would get our new pathology lab and the government has once again basically left us in the lurch where we are now."
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Te Waipounamu deputy chief executive Martin Keogh told the Otago Daily Times space was allocated for acute pathology in the inpatients building.
"Work is continuing on the specifics for the full range of pathology services, including the location of these as part of the next phase of detailed planning and design."
But Mr Taylor, who has been a frequent advocate for the new Dunedin hospital, said pathology was promised a brand-new facility.
"That hasn’t changed.
"We need some certainty."
Mr Brown said construction of the new inpatient building would be complete by 2031.
That left the pathology department in a position of having to operate at the present ageing Dunedin Hospital, Mr Taylor said.
"It’s just not fit for purpose in any way, certainly not for any more time, and they’re talking of up to 2031."
The present pathology department was "cramped" and "falling over".
Clinicians had put together a lot of work in planning the design and functionality of a new pathology building, and it was paramount that any building of it went under way at the former Cadbury’s site, Mr Taylor said.
"It’s pretty essential for the whole hospital — at this stage, the new Dunedin hospital will be, I think, the first ever public hospital built that’s got no pathology lab anywhere near it.
"We’re caught in the middle of the political wish-wash is really what’s happened."
Mr Brown said on Friday the new Dunedin hospital would have 351 beds, with capacity to expand to 404 beds over time; 20 short-stay surgical beds, 22 theatres with capacity to expand to 24 theatres, 41 same day beds, 58 emergency department spaces, including a short-stay unit and specialised emergency psychiatric care, and 20 imaging units for CT, MRI and X-ray procedures, with four additional spaces available.
Construction on the inpatient block will get under way before the middle of this year.
The government had previously considered refitting the present hospital instead of building a new one.
Mr Taylor said he was pleased the government decided against refitting.
He also acknowledged a new pathology building would take about 18 months to complete at the former Cadbury’s site, but said it was essential for communicating with other clinical departments.
"We actually communicate and work quite closely with the likes of the oncology department, the haematologist, people that are working clinically.
"All I want from the government is assurance they’re going to build the pathology lab.
"I don’t particularly care if it has to be a public-private-partnership."
Mr Brown’s office has been approached for comment.
