Surgical Expansion Project

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board is upgrading and expanding Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s surgical services to increase the number of public surgeries the DHB undertakes each year and improve patient experience.

 The upgrade includes:

  • Building an additional theatre, taking the total number of operating theatres to eight.
  • An upgraded reception area with a new whānau room.
  • The renovations will improve patient flow through theatre, from the time of pre-admission through to discharge, and the efficiency of operations through the layout of pre and post-operative areas.
  • Building dedicated pharmacy and specimen handling rooms.
  • Seismic upgrades of the theatre block to ensure it is immediately operational in the event of an earthquake or other disaster.

Hawkins Construction were appointed to undertake the upgrade and are building in nine stages. Below is a high-level schedule of works completed and in progress.

Works completed as at 1 June 2022

Stage 1: Link bridge, pharmacy room, theatre storage and more 

Completed September 2021.

  • Building a link bridge(external link) between the top floor of Ruakopito (the hospital’s gastroentology and endoscopy services building) and the theatre block to access new change rooms and staff facilities
  • Building a dedicated pharmacy room, theatre storage and stairs joining the link bridge
  • Expanding the IT Hub Room in the roof space.

Stage 2: Theatre Admissions and Discharge Unit 

Completed 31 March 2022.

Demolition of the existing staff change rooms and, in its place, building the new pre and post-operative unit, called the Theatre Admissions and Discharge Unit(external link). The Theatre Admissions and Discharge Unit is a larger, more welcoming environment, which will help improve flow through the Perioperative Unit and overall patient experience.

Stage 3: Orderlies base

Completed July 2021.

Convert the old gift shop at the hospital main entrance into the Orderlies base.

 

Works in progress as at 1 June 2022

Stage 4: Theatre eight shell/temporary sterile storage

Started September 2021, runs for approximately six months.

Demolition of the former staff tea room and theatre tutorial. This space will eventually become the new theatre eight, but in the meantime will be used as sterile storage for theatre whilst we undertake work in Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD).

Stage 5: Extra space for CSSD

Started September 2021, runs for approximately seven months.

Convert the former Orderlies base and part of the cleaners’ area near the hospital kitchen in to additional space for CSSD to house their offices and loan store.

Stage 6: Acute theatre entrance refurbishment, PACU expansion and refurbishment

Started March 2022, runs for about nine months.

  • Refurbishment of the acute entrance to theatre
  • Expansion and refurbishment of the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (formerly known as Recovery). During this time PACU will relocate to the newly built pre and post-operative unit, the Theatre Admissions and Discharge Unit. The expansion of PACU will provide additional capacity. This will help Hawke’s Bay Hospital support an eighth operating theatre, due to be completed next year.

Stage 7: CSSD refurb and modification

Due to start July 2022 and run for approximately seven months.

Stage 8: Perioperative Unit refurb and modifications

Due to start December 2022 and run for approximately five months.

  • Refurbishment and modifications to the Perioperative Unit’s inwards goods, medical records reception and waiting areas. 
  • Seismic strengthening completion

Stage 9: Theatre eight construction.

Expected to take five months and is expected to be complete mid-2023.

Please note that dates are indicative only and are subject to change. We are working closely with staff and patients to minimise disruption as much as possible and ensure safety.