25704 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

25704 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: How many of the five fast-tracked wards are on track to become operational in the second half of 2026 as at 3 June 2026, and what is the expected operational date for each?

Hon Simeon Brown: Budget 2025 provided investment for the fast-tracked hospital wards programme, delivering five interim inpatient units at Middlemore Hospital, Waikato Hospital, Wellington Regional Hospital, Nelson Hospital, and Hawke’s Bay Hospital as part of the Government’s commitment to increasing hospital capacity and improving access to healthcare for New Zealanders. I am advised that each interim inpatient unit will provide 28 additional inpatient beds, increasing overall hospital capacity by a total of 140 beds across the five sites. These additional beds will help relieve pressure on hospitals, support frontline staff, and ensure more patients can receive timely care closer to home. The specific use of beds may vary depending on local demand, operational requirements, and service configuration, with the principal benefit being the increase in overall inpatient capacity. I am advised that Southbase Construction is the principal contractor for all five interim inpatient units. Southbase subcontracted the manufacture and delivery of the modular units to Portacom NZ Ltd for Hawke’s Bay, Middlemore, Waikato, and Wellington, and to Fitzgerald Construction for Nelson. Health New Zealand advises that the contract values for the unit supply arrangements are commercially sensitive. I am further advised that the interim inpatient units are being delivered alongside wider hospital redevelopment programmes to provide additional capacity sooner than would otherwise be possible. In Nelson, the interim inpatient unit is expected to remain in use until the new inpatient tower becomes operational, ensuring patients continue to benefit from increased capacity while longer-term infrastructure projects are completed. With respect to Waikato Hospital, I am advised that additional acoustic testing resulted in an extended design phase. However, I am advised that none of the five interim inpatient units have changed in scope, bed count, or location, and all five projects remain on track to be delivered. This Government is focused on delivering practical improvements to the health system after years of underinvestment in hospital infrastructure. These interim inpatient units are part of our broader programme to expand capacity, reduce pressure on existing facilities, and ensure New Zealanders can access healthcare when and where they need it. I am advised that there was no operational budget for the interim inpatient units in 2025/26 because the facilities were not operational during that period. Health New Zealand will budget for operational costs as part of its 2026/27 budget. I am advised that the interim inpatient units are expected to require an average of approximately 70 additional FTE staff across each site, with recruitment planning underway across the districts. I also refer the Member to the attached table setting out the current estimated delivery timelines. As with any major infrastructure programme, timelines have been refined as planning has progressed and greater certainty has been established.