Mayor To Minister: Dunedin Is Watching Closely
Dunedin (Friday, 2 May 2025) – Dunedin is watching closely to make sure the Government delivers on its hospital promises, Mayor of Dunedin Jules Radich says.
Mr Radich says, '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.
'While I accept the Government's assurance, based on the latest modelling, that 20 ICU 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 fitout decisions will be made in five years' time, not this week nor next, and we shouldn't be shouting wolf at every shadow.
'Council's advocacy to date has been effective and it is important that it remains so.'
Instead, Mr Radich is today 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.
Details of the group will be firmed up in discussion with Councillors next week.
'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 has also spoken to Minister of Health Simeon Brown today, who assured him the project remains on track.
'The most important success achieved to date by the Southern region's hospital campaign has been the Government's commitment to build the full 11-storey structure.
'Our focus is now to ensure this Government delivers the hospital we need now and in the future.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
2 hours ago
- Scoop
Radiology Backlog Cleared At Taranaki Base Hospital
Hon Simeon Brown Minister of Health Health Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the clearance of a significant radiology backlog at Taranaki Base Hospital, calling it a practical outcome that puts patients first. 'In March, more than 6,000 x-ray reports were sitting unprocessed at Taranaki Base Hospital. That was causing unacceptable delays for patients needing diagnosis and treatment,' Mr Brown says. 'People in Taranaki deserve access to timely, high-quality healthcare – and that includes getting diagnostic results back quickly. With the backlog now cleared and all results referred back to GPs, patients are now receiving their results.' To address the backlog, Health New Zealand made full use of available public radiology resources and engaged private imaging providers to boost reporting capacity and return results directly to patients' GPs. 'This was a practical, solutions-focused response. By combining public capacity with private sector support, the backlog was cleared efficiently, and care has been sped up for thousands of people.' Outsourcing remains in place to manage ongoing demand and reduce the risk of future backlogs. 'Taranaki Base Hospital will continue to use private capacity where needed – an approach that is consistent with the Government's broader strategy to reduce waitlists across the health system. "Our focus on reducing waitlists has already resulted in more than 8,600 additional elective procedures being delivered through outsourcing. It's a clear example of how we can apply the same approach to diagnostics – using targeted outsourcing to deliver faster care. 'We are committed to practical improvements that reduce delays, support frontline services, and deliver better outcomes for patients. 'This result in Taranaki shows what can be achieved when we stay focused on what matters – making sure New Zealanders get the care they need, when they need it,' Mr Brown says.
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- RNZ News
Fieldays spotlight: Christchurch start-up's sheepskin collagen powder
A Christchurch start-up is extracting proteins from sheepskin and processed them into a collagen powder for health and wellness products. Photo: RNZ / Kate Green A Christchurch biotechnology start-up is using sheepskins diverted from waste to create a world-first collagen powder for the booming health and wellness market. The company, Tertiary Extracts Ōtautahi, extracted protein from sheepskin to create its branded bioactive protein Ovitage that was then processed into a collagen powder and marketed in various health products. The company was up for an early-stage innovation award at this week's Fieldays event in Waikato against more than 30 others. Founder and chief science officer Dr Rob Kelly said the company developed the technology to isolate and extract valuable protein ingredients from the sheepskin and make it into the unique collagen powder. "The composition of our signature protein, which is ovitage collagen, is quite different to any collagen that's been made before," Kelly said. "The amino acid profile is really quite different. People haven't seen this before and the particular amino acids present leads to significant health benefits in areas that are in particular demand in New Zealand and overseas as well." Kelly, no stranger to research and development within the sheep sector, had links to the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ), Keratec and Keraplast Technologies. He said Tertiary Extracts Ōtautahi sourced the sheepskin material from producers who only used sheep from New Zealand. "We have an abundance of sheepskin materials, between 6-7 million sheepskins are produced each year, and they currently don't have good uses," Kelly said. He said most skins were by-products of the red meat sector that were low value and cost producers to dispose of. "Sheepskin is an issue for the sector as a whole, and so we're really trying to present a whole-of-industry solution," he said. Tertiary Extracts Ōtautahi's head of research and development Dr Alisa Roddick Lanzilotta and chief scientist officer Dr Rob Kelly are behind the process to extract valuable proteins from sheepskin to create a collagen powder. Photo: SUPPLIED/Tertiary Extracts Ōtautahi Kelly said its Ovitage product targeted the health and wellness segment domestically in New Zealand and via export into the United States. He said bovine and marine made up the bulk of the $15 billion global market for collagen, and demand was continuing to grow. "We've put a lot of investment and science and research into the novel process that we've developed and we're really excited by the market opportunities and the export opportunities," Kelly said. Tertiary Extracts Otautahi will be in the Innovation Hub at Mystery Creek this week - ahead of the Innovation Awards ceremony on Thursday, and its product Everee Women could also be found in the health and wellbeing hub. On Friday, Kelly will also feature in the event's Tent Talks, on New Zealand's ability to turn scientific breakthroughs into globally competitive export businesses. The company was also a finalist for a technology innovation award at the Primary Industries NZ Awards in two week's time. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
16 hours ago
- RNZ News
Exercise reduces risk cancer patients dying by third
A woman running up a flight of steps. Photo: UnSplash/ Ev Professor Haryana Dhillon. Photo: Supplied / Haryana Dhillon It's common knowledge that exercise is good for us, but for the first time, a study has found that exercise can reduce the risk of cancer patients dying by a third - and stop tumours coming back. Nearly 890 colon cancer patients, from six countries including Canada and Australia, took part in the study. They were randomly divided into two-groups, one group was set a three-year structured exercise programme, the other group was only given a healthy lifestyle booklet. And the results are clear - structured exercise reduced the risk of recurrent or new cancer by 28 percent and reduced the risk of death by 37 percent. Professor Haryana Dhillon from the University of Sydney's Faculty of Science - is one of the authors of the study and speaks to Mihi.
