We are replacing the water system and approximately 20 kilometres of copper pipes across 8 levels of the main building at Wellington Regional Hospital.

This work began in January 2021 in the ICU area. Now we are preparing to start work in and around the inpatient wards.

To minimise the disruption to patients, whānau, and staff, we are setting up 2 12-bed wards where we can relocate patients away from the building works. This also means we can continue to provide the hospital's full number of beds throughout the works.

Where the wards are located

The first will be a temporary ward that will be installed on the level 3 roof of the main hospital building. People will be able to access the temporary ward from doors next to the red lifts on level 4 from October 2023.

The ward is being built off-site as it is the most efficient and cost-effective way to build this particular structure, while minimising the disruption to hospital services. It will be installed by using cranes to lift sections of the wards onto the roof, where it will be assembled in parts June to July 2023.

The second will be a 12-bed ward on level 7 of the main hospital building, called 7 East. In August and then October 2023 we will move the urology and dialysis departments to Clinical Services Block level 3 to refit level 7 as a ward, which we expect to open February 2024. We will advise patients of these changes closer to the time via patient letters, signs and information on our website.

We expect the process for replacing the remaining copper pipes will end in 2026.

Temporary parking limits outside the delivery suite and medical assessment planning unit entrance

To install the ward on the roof of the main hospital building, we will install a crane to lift equipment and sections of wards over a series of evenings through June and July. To do this, we will temporarily cone off and close the parking spaces directly outside the delivery suite and medical assessment planning unit on the nights the crane is being installed or in use.

Patients, whānau and staff will be able to continue using the delivery suite and medical assessment planning unit entrance at all times by following the signs and directions of the traffic management team, who will be managing the access to the area when works are underway.

These dates could change based on the weather. If they do, it will be the at the same time the next day. We will share reminders of the times and dates on our social media channels and web page over the coming month.