The government has confirmed it is funding a new spinal rehabilitation unit in Auckland.
Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit (ASRU) in Ōtara. The new unit will be part of a superclinic in Manukau Photo: LDR
It will replace the old one near Middlemore Hospital which cares for all patients in the top half of the North Island.
The $110m unit will be part of a new superclinic in Manukau, which will have four theatres, more than 30 clinical outpatient spaces, a radiology hub, a breast-care service, and an expanded dialysis service.
Health Minister Andrew Little said patients would get high-quality, integrated services in a modern, fit-for-purpose building.
Patient groups have been calling for a new facility for years, saying the current one, built in the 1970s, has passed its use-by date.
Local Democracy Reporting has reported the unit was also expected to cater for burns victims and amputees.
Spinal Support NZ president Brendan Tourelle has said a new facility was long overdue.
"The current facility has been here since the 1970s, but it's at the end of its use-by date. They've done their best to keep it going and it was given a facelift a few years ago."