Instead, he is proposing to reinstate a local advisory group that would bring key stakeholders together — representing relevant institutions and the wider region — and meet on a regular basis, to work through issues as they arise.
"This hospital remains a critically important project for our region and the country, and we’re all watching closely to make sure the government delivers on its commitments," Mr Radich said in a statement yesterday.
"While I accept the government’s assurance, based on the latest modelling, that 20 ICU [intensive care unit] beds will be sufficient for our needs on opening day, there is capacity to increase this number to 40 if needed and our close scrutiny of this project will continue.
"It’s important to remember that final fit-out decisions will be made in five years’ time, not this week nor next, and we shouldn’t be shouting wolf at every shadow."
His comments come after the Otago Daily Times revealed Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) was reducing the number of planned ICU beds from 30 to 20 upon opening, and the number of mental health beds for older people from 24 to eight.
At Wednesday’s council meeting, Mr Radich said he had no problem with the government’s plan to cut a third of intensive care unit beds from the city’s new hospital and had "no intention" of fighting the move.
However, yesterday, Mr Radich said: "council’s advocacy to date has been effective and it is important that it remains so."
Details of the advisory group would be firmed up in discussion with councillors next week, he said.
"This body will play a vital role in monitoring delivery and providing public updates, and will be committed to working constructively with government as this project rolls out," Mr Radich said.
Mr Radich also spoke to Health Minister Simeon Brown yesterday.
"Our focus is now to ensure this government delivers the hospital we need now and in the future."
Mr Brown has said there would be capacity to expand to 40 ICU beds over time, while HNZ said it was seeking a new model of care for psychogeriatric and dementia issues.
Meanwhile, yesterday Taieri MP for Labour Ingrid Leary took aim at Mr Brown, who in January announced the government would be pushing ahead with a scaled-back version of the hospital at the former Cadbury’s site for $1.88 billion.
"Scaling back the hospital beds on the basis of an as-yet undefined model of care is at best magical thinking, at worst another way of concealing cuts.
"To make slash-and-burn decisions in this context is a slap in the face to our communities and renders Mr Brown’s assurances earlier this year plain gaslighting."
Mr Brown responded: "Decisions about the scope of this project have been made by Health NZ in consultation with senior clinicians to ensure the hospital can deliver the services needed in Dunedin when it opens.
"The hospital will be future-proofed to allow for increased services as required that will meet the needs of patients from Dunedin and the wider Otago and Southland regions."
