The troubled Dunedin Hospital will soon receive a major make-over to its outdated ventilation systems.
Health New Zealand has advertised a tender process for a "a reliable and efficient ventilation system aligned with current operational needs" for Dunedin Hospital.
It comes as HNZ nears completion on ventilation upgrades and repair in one part of Dunedin Hospital, after reports in late 2023 the ventilation system was plagued by extreme rust, and in parts, held together by gaffer tape.
At one stage HNZ considered closing down operating theatres as it carried out the work.
HNZ is calling for someone who would be "responsible for the construction of upgrading the mechanical plant, electrical distribution, and system commissioning while maintaining uninterrupted clinical operations."
This project will involve the staged replacement of fresh supply and exhaust return fans serving key clinical areas within the Clinical Services Building (CSB), including operating theatres, sterile stock rooms, clean corridors, and toilet facilities.
Work is expected to start in November and take about a year to complete. Parts of the hospital will shut down during the work, but essential services would not be affected.
New Zealand Nurses’ Organisation president Anne Daniels said proper ventilation was essential, because staff relied on ventilation systems in general to protect patients and staff from potential health issues, including cross infection.
HNZ Southern interim group director of operations Craig Ashton said the ventilation tender at Dunedin Hospital was to refurbish the air handling units that supply the operating theatres.
"The work is being done as part of a capital programme to manage the infrastructure assets. The cost is commercially sensitive, and the programme will be agreed with the contractor."
