The new medical centre, to be built on the grounds of the former Tapanui Hospital on State Highway 90, will include a 14-bed rest-home, and will be primarily aimed at offering the district's elderly residents a chance to stay in the town instead of moving to facilities in larger centres.
The centre will provide health services to more than 2000 people in West Otago and outlying areas.
West Otago Health Trust chairman Allister Body said the integrated medical centre and rest-home would give the community more options, particularly when thinking of the older members.
"People have lived their lives here, worked here and deserve the chance to stay here."
The trust was in the final design stage, and hoped work on the centre would begin at the end of the year, Mr Body said.
Trustees and the directors of West Otago Health Ltd - the company which runs the existing medical centre - have spent the past six months reviewing the project.
Previous estimates for the new facility came in at about $5.9 million, but the trust had since revised its design, significantly reducing the cost, after visiting other medical centres in areas similar to West Otago.
After combining the revised design specifications and construction costings, the trust estimated it could build and fit out the proposed facility for $2.6 million, including a 10% contingency fund, Mr Body said.
The medical centre would cover an estimated 400sq m and the aged related residential care facility about 724sq m.
Until the final design was decided on, the estimates could change, Mr Body said.
The trust has committed funding of about $2.4 million, including $520,000 raised by the West Otago community through fundraising over the last 30 months.
Last week, the Clutha District Council confirmed its $1 million grant, despite the new price tag, as the project still met the council's terms.
The grant will be funded through a rate of about $88 throughout the West Otago Health service area over 25 years.
"There is a need for this. The West Otago community deserve and want this," West Otago ward councillor Jeff McKenzie said.
Several councillors were impressed with the fundraising efforts, and congratulated the West Otago community for it.
Last year, the council decided to hold $56,996 from the harvesting of a forestry block in West Otago in a reserve account for the centre. This would be handed over when the council's contribution of $1 million was called on.
West Otago Health Ltd director Marianne Parks said that from discussions with the community several years ago, there was a clear interest in keeping existing health services, and providing aged health care.
"If you want the community you live in to stay strong, you have to keep these things. Infrastructure is important. People thinking about moving to the area ask about available services."
Trustee Michelle Kennedy said the new centre could even help the farming sector retain workers, as people who wanted access to medical services would no longer feel they have to move away to get those services.
Mrs Kennedy, who is also an ambulance officer for St John, said the new medical centre would be more efficient, particularly in transferring patients by helicopter as a helipad would be built on site.
The road towards the new medical centre has been a long one.
In 1994, the Tapanui Hospital closed, and was bought by the community 10 years later.
The hospital was demolished in 2010, volunteers clearing a large section of the rubble and land.
West Otago Health Ltd, a charitable company, was formed in 2002 to run the day-to-day business from its base at the West Otago Medical Centre in Tapanui. The company bought the medical centre in December that year.
The company runs health services in the building once used by long-time Tapanui GP the late Dr Peter Snow, but plans to sell that property once the new health centre is open.
The company provides a range of community health services - district nursing, home help, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and meals on wheels - and 24-hour general practice services seven days a week.
The sole owner of West Otago Health Ltd is the West Otago Health Trust, with trustees appointed by members of the West Otago Community Board.
The new medical centre will serve a catchment area from Waikaka across to Pukerau in the south, and Moa Flat to Raes Junction in the north.
While design plans were being settled, the centre's fundraising committee would be working towards raising the last $250,000 needed to construct the centre.
The centre's rooms could still be sponsored and any group, from families to companies or streets, was welcome to sponsor a room. There are about 14 rooms, including lounges and consultant rooms, which can be be sponsored.
"West Otago has a history of raising the money needed for community facilities. This is achievable," Mrs Parks said.
Facilities
Medical centre will offer:
• Rural general practice services.
• Practice nursing services.
• Community nursing services.
• Emergency triage, stabilisation and transfer unit.
• Consulting rooms, a family room and space for a physiotherapist.
• Dedicated space for doctors and nurses.
• Visiting specialist clinics.
• Purpose-built helipad.
Aged care services will include:
• 14-bed rest-home.
• Respite care.
• Carer support services.
