Dilemma of when to rebuild ICU

John Chambers.
John Chambers.
A dilemma faces the Southern District Health Board as it decides whether to fully redevelop its Dunedin intensive care unit (ICU) now, or wait until the $200 million rebuild.

Board members at yesterday's health meeting in Dunedin were told the board is pressing ahead with plans for work worth up to $25 million, which is separate from the more complicated and time-consuming $200 million clinical services building rebuild.

In a surprise move, the ICU recently lost its accreditation to train specialists, and an upgrade is considered urgent to regain the training right from the College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand.

The ICU is based in the ward block, and there has been speculation a new ICU would be developed in the new clinical services building, which will not open for about eight years.

Board member Dr John Chambers asked whether a decision had been made about shifting ICU from the ward block to the new clinical services building.

Finance head Peter Beirne said it was a ''key question'', which had to be answered.

The Government's Capital Investment Committee did not want to see ''wasted investment''.

Deciding between a short-term upgrade that would fix immediate problems, or a ''complete job'', was a ''problem''.

After the meeting, Mr Beirne told the Otago Daily Times the board faced a ''real dilemma'' in deciding what do.

A full upgrade would cost $14 million of the $25 million maximum allocated for the entire project, which includes redevelopment in audiology and gastroenterology.

A short-term upgrade of ICU would cost only $4 million.

Board members approved the final version of the Southern Strategic Health Plan.

The only debate was about the wording of part of the document that dealt with disability.

Some speakers felt it should have emphasised the board's role more strongly.

The plan was approved with the proviso minor changes would be made to that part of the document.

eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz

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