New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science (NZIMLS) past-president Terry Taylor said the recently proposed cuts to the new hospital were stark and made him worry what it could mean to the "often ignored" pathology building’s fate.
Items Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora is reconsidering for the new hospital’s inpatient building include moving ED short-stay bed numbers to acute wards, having only one operating theatre with specialist-grade ventilation instead of two, removing wall-mounted medical gas in some theatres and having only one high-spec "hybrid theatre" on opening, instead of two, among multiple other changes.
"I’m looking forward to the march — we have to draw a line in the sand."
The biggest frustration for Mr Taylor was the previously agreed to proposal for the standalone fit for purpose Pathology building signed off by the previous government was still in limbo.
"We have been now waiting nearly a year for any positive signals from the current government with regards when this vital part of the hospital rebuild will be signed off.
"It seems that once again the essential role of the pathology service for a functional clinical hospital has been conveniently shelved to buy time for imaginary savings."
The previous government had revisited the call for a fully functional 4000sqm standalone facility that was to be built on the hospital precinct.
The Health Minister at the time, Dr Ayesha Verrall had agreed in principle to this proposal but since the election the new government has been asking for a new business plan from this proposal.
"Any politician or bureaucrat who thinks that you can have a functioning hospital without a fully staffed and functional on site 24 hour Pathology service will find out very quickly this will result in serious issues for our patient’s and clinical staff."
HNZ commissioner Lester Levy said last week that "everything was under review" regarding the new Dunedin hospital and the health system in general.
Mr Taylor said he was tired of the "chopping and changing".
The budget for the whole project is about $1.59 billion, but the Otago Daily Times understands costs have ballooned to close to $2b.
Mr Taylor said the initial cost for the pathology building alone was $40 million, but he understood the costs of it had increased to $50m.
He was worried about proposals for a phased building of the hospital.
"You could imagine the logistics behind that especially as you’re moving specimen across departments — it’s just ridiculous."
Protesters will march at noon on Saturday from the University of Otago faculty of dentistry in Great King St, to the Octagon, led by mayor Jules Radich and councillors.
Mr Taylor said clinicians were united in their concern.
"Everyone knows that the longer you delay something, the more the costs go up.
"All of these clinicians have a lot of skin in the game — there’s nothing better than a crisis to bring everyone together."
