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Progress on the new Dunedin hospital has stalled and the Government is "faffing about", National Dunedin list MP Michael Woodhouse says.
The detailed business case for the hospital, which was originally scheduled to be considered by the Cabinet last March, is still to be signed off.
The document, which sets out what services will be provided within the $1.4billion-plus project, is a vital planning document for building the hospital.
Mr Woodhouse said he expected to still be talking about the overdue detailed business case in a year.
"I said in September that I did not think that the detailed business case would go before Cabinet this year [2021], and I stand by that comment.
"It is taking a painfully long time, and if it was a National-led government faffing about to this degree then Southerners would be marching in the streets."
The indicative business case for the hospital was signed off in April 2017 and it seemed little had been achieved in almost three years, despite Labour’s promises, Mr Woodhouse said.
"There are significant tensions between Treasury and the Ministry of Health over the scope and cost of the project, and nothing has changed."
In September, then health minister Chris Hipkins announced the Cabinet had given "in principle" approval for the plan and that final details were expected to be considered for approval in February.
Cabinet papers released to the Otago Daily Times showed the Treasury opposed that decision and said it believed there were significant risks with the project.
It is understood the Cabinet — which has deferred most business to deal with the ongoing community outbreak of Covid-19 — is still to turn its attention to the detailed business case.
In the interim, Southern District Health Board documents show the plan has recently been "revised for resubmission to the Ministry of Health and the ministers".
Demolition work is continuing on the site, using $127million released last year to ensure some progress on the hospital.
Health Minister Andrew Little said the hospital timetable he was aware of was being met.
The SDHB appears before Parliament’s health select committee today. Mr Woodhouse flagged questions on progress would be asked.
Dr John Adams, chairman of the clinical leadership group of doctors advising on the new hospital, said although medical staff were strongly advocating for their services to be offered sufficient space and capacity in the buildings, they were not causing any hold-up.
"We have always met every deadline we have needed to," he said.
"But there will always be ongoing discussion and disagreement over some things and we are still discussing some things about capacity and design."
The Government is still considering whether to approve an application by the Ministry of Health to fast-track the consent for the building under the Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act 2020.
A spokesman for Environment Minister David Parker said there was still no decision on whether to refer the project to an expert consenting panel for consideration.