The Southern District Health Board has confirmed it is making a $25 million request for urgent new facilities while it plans the rebuild of Dunedin Hospital.
Consultant reports written for the board last year found the existing building was no longer fit for purpose and would need up to $50 million spent to keep it running for a decade more while a new hospital centre was developed.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said he expected Cabinet to consider the bid, to replace parts of the 50-year-old Clinical Services Building, in the middle of the year.
Dr Coleman said he was open to the DHB's bid.
The DHB this afternoon released a statement confirming it was working on a business case to go to the Capital Investment Committee of the National Health Board.
It said the bid for about $25 million would include a new intensive care unit and new gastro-intestinal facility.