Mercy upgrade finishes early

The multimillion-dollar upgrade of Mercy Hospital Dunedin will be completed about three months earlier than expected, hospital chief executive Michael Woodhouse said yesterday.

For the past 18 months, the Newington Ave site has been undergoing a redevelopment which includes a new day surgery, operating suite, 13 single ward rooms and administration facilities.

The hospital and surgery continued to operate during this time.

Mr Woodhouse said favourable weather last winter and contractors working ahead of schedule meant the redevelopment would be complete on October 24 rather than in mid-January 2009, the expected date.

An open day and formal opening ceremony was planned for November, he said.