New Dunedin Hospital plans

The story so far

The future of the new Dunedin Hospital was unclear after the government announced budget blowouts in September, and local leaders who expected a decision by Christmas had received no update.^{9 Jan 2025} Critics accused the government of a lack of transparency, saying many Official Information Act requests had been delayed or declined while people awaited a decision.^{11 Jan 2025} Health Minister Simeon Brown announced a scaled-back plan for a new inpatient building at the Cadbury factory site, with 351 beds, 59 fewer than originally planned, following public outcry and protests.^{30, 31 Jan 2025} The cost of the inpatient building was reported as $1.88 billion, and later as $1.8 billion.^{31 Jan 2025; 1 Feb 2025} A psychiatry specialist said the reduced plans ignore the needs of an ageing population, as psycho-geriatric beds were cut by 50%, while tertiary institutions welcomed the decision and a doctors' union criticised earlier delays and cost-cutting.^{31 Jan 2025; 1 Feb 2025}

Key moments

1. 9 Jan 2025Budget blowouts announced in September; local leaders still awaiting decision.
2. 11 Jan 2025Critics say Official Information Act requests have been delayed or declined.
3. 30 Jan 2025Health Minister to announce the hospital project's future on Friday.
4. 31 Jan 2025Scaled-back plan: 351 beds at the Cadbury factory site.
5. 31 Jan 2025Psycho-geriatric beds reduced by 50%, a specialist says.
6. 1 Feb 2025Doctors' union criticises earlier delays and cost-cutting measures.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.