CDHB Welcomes Appointment Of Consortium
MEDIA RELEASE
March 15, 2013
Canterbury District Health Board Welcomes Appointment Of Consortium To Lead Health Precinct Master Plan
David Meates, Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) chief executive, has welcomed yesterday’s announcement by Minister Gerry Brownlee of a consortium appointed to work on the master plan for the project.
The consortium, led by companies BVN Donovan Hill and Jasmax was selected from a group of 12 consortia who tendered to master plan the Health Precinct for health education, research, innovation and delivery of health services to the public.
“The opportunities for disruptive change that have resulted from the quakes have made us look at the way we do things and find better, smarter solutions by working together,” Mr Meates says.
“The Health Precinct will be a fundamental part of this change and will help continue to foster collaboration, health education, research and innovation.
Mr Meates says the Health Precinct is a great chance for Canterbury to lead the world on so many fronts.
“We know that anything is possible. The Health Precinct is about having a place where breakthrough thinking can occur with the support and linkages of those from across the health system and industry sectors,” he says.
Mr Meates says there is a “wealth of talent” scattered around the city, which will benefit from being co-located.
The Health Precinct is one of the anchor projects in the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan, and has the Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU) working alongside partners including the Canterbury District Health Board, Otago and Canterbury universities, the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology and the private sector.
The precinct will be adjacent to Christchurch Hospital and bring together private research and professional partners, and medi-hotels where patients and families can stay while receiving outpatient or specialist care.
“Our vision is to provide a creative and inspiring campus that integrates healthcare, industry services, research, innovation and education,” Mr Meates says.
It will also provide cutting edge facilities for learning and clinical teaching involving our leading tertiary providers.
CDHB fully supports the Health Precinct and the benefits of clustering similar health, education and technology businesses together.
“It will bring significant benefits to our city and our health system. The Health Precinct will also act as a magnet to attract more talented people and investors to the region.” Mr Meates says.
“We are passionate about making this a success.”
By May the Health Precinct master plan will be complete. Detailed design will begin around August, and construction should begin in early 2014.
The master planning consortium announced today also includes the firms Studio Nield, M.A. International, Aurecon, Impact Group and Rider Levett Bucknall. It brings a wealth of collective experience in large-scale health and education developments throughout Australasia.
ENDS