Mr Radich’s U-turn on the plan which includes $90 million of cuts to the hospital was evident in the letter he sent to Health Minister Andrew Little yesterday.
Mr Radich warned in his letter that medical workers and the public were unhappy about the design cutbacks announced by the Government on Tuesday .
"The mood is for large public protest, which is not a good look in an election year," the letter said.
The letter comes after Mr Radich initially welcomed the Government’s announcement, saying it was only right it kept a eye on the bottom line.
“Yes, there have been changes, including to the architectural design of the buildings, but the most important thing is that a new hospital is built, and that it delivers an improved and appropriate level of service for our residents and the wider region."
His change of tune comes after Cr David Benson-Pope was scathing of the response, saying the mayor was not doing enough to advocate for the city when it came to the hospital build.
"Telling them it was a Christmas present or that they’re happy with the issue and it could have been much worse, defies belief."
Mr Radich said his initial response was "just something I said in a rush" in an attempt at making the best of a bad situation.
He was never happy with the cuts, but had believed the decision was a fait accompli, he said.
He had since looked further into the issue, and listened to feedback from the public, who wanted a stronger response, and from councillors.
"Everybody thinks we should be pushing back."
The result was his letter to Mr Little.
He would also be prepared to march against cutbacks, he said.
The cutbacks are the Government’s attempt to address a $200 million hospital budget blowout.
It will provide $110million in additional funding for the project, with the remaining $90 million saved by making "design changes" to what is now a $1.58 billion project.
When the hospital opens, likely in 2029, it is set to have 12 fewer beds, two fewer operating theatres, one fewer MRI scanner and no PET CT scanner.
However, shell space has been provided for the lost amenities to be installed at some point in the future.
Before the cuts, the hospital design included 410 beds and 28 operating theatres, three MRI scanners and the first PET CT scanner south of Christchurch.
The letter, which described the city councillors as united in opposition to the cuts, asked that the earlier design be retained.
"The savings proposed are relatively small compared to the total project cost," it said.
"We have been promised that the hospital will be fit-for-purpose but with medical specialists and staff voicing strong concerns at this latest reduction, we are feeling that the Government is back-tracking on previous commitments."
It also asked Mr Little what the effects on service efficiencies would be if the hospital opened with the design changes in effect.
Council deputy mayor Sophie Barker said Mr Radich’s stance in his letter to Mr Little was "a lot better and a lot firmer".
Cutting $90 million from the hospital budget was "coal for Christmas".
She had taken part in protesting to save Dunedin’s neurosurgery services from being cut in 2010, and was ready to protest again.
"I think the people of Dunedin would be ready to march for their hospital again.
"We don’t like being thought of as second-class citizens."
The city needed to advocate to be taken seriously on the issue, she said.
Speaking to the Otago Daily Times on Wednesday, Mr Little said the project was future-proof despite the cutbacks, and said people needed to think about the project in the long term.
"These are buildings that will last between 50 and 75 years — within that time there are other capital projects that will be considered."
This included a possible expansion of Southland Hospital and a possible new hospital campus in North Otago.
