Plans for Rangiora Health Hub progressing

October 1, 2013

Plans for Rangiora Health Hub progressing

The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) has given the green light to progress to the next stage of the plans to build a Rangiora Health Hub.

The board has given approval to progress with an indicative business case and design that will allow the Request for Proposal (RFP) to be released and initial design and management work to begin.

David Meates, CDHB chief executive, says this is an encouraging step towards enhancing the Canterbury Health System for North Canterbury residents.

“The proposed health hub will increase the sustainability of health services in North Canterbury. It could act as a magnet in improving the health workforce and also increase access and reduce travel for the local population and providers,” Mr Meates says.

“It also provides an opportunity for government and non-government agencies to share resources.”

The plan is for the hub to complement existing primary care services in North Canterbury and provide the community with better access to a variety of services.

Current CDHB services located at Rangiora Hospital will be part of the new Health Hub. In addition integration with some secondary services will be linked either via specialist outpatient services or potentially telemedicine, which will help better support people with complex health requirements. A focus of the Hub will be a number of community providers and organisations utilising the Hub facilities.

The RFP is expected to be released within the next week. It is anticipated that work on the new facility will commence around the second quarter of 2014.

ENDS

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