Counties Manukau DHB has won government approval to spend $14.6 million upgrading its high dependency dialysis unit and building a new cardiac catheter laboratory.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Health Minister Dr David Clark said the expansion at Middlemore Hospital would make a real difference to the lives of more than 100 seriously unwell people every week.
David Clark Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
He said the area had high needs, particularly amongst Māori and Pacific communities.
Mr Clark said the existing high dependency service, which had 20 beds, sometimes treated up to 92 patients each week.
The investment will go towards six extra beds to treat an additional 24 patients each week and a new lab to provide care for people with acute and long term cardiac conditions.
"Tragically, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the northern region and over 1500 patients were treated in the DHB's cath lab in the last year.
"Having a second procedure room will enable the DHB to carry out more lifesaving procedures more swiftly, also reducing the need for further care in the future," Mr Clark said.
A two-storey extension will be constructed next to the DHB's Scott building for the expansion and refurbishment of the dialysis and cardiac catheter laboratory services.
Construction is expected to begin in 2021 and is due to be completed by 2023.