Construction Begins on Rapid-Build 28-Bed Ward at Nelson Hospital

Construction is now underway on a rapid-build inpatient ward at Nelson Hospital, delivering a major boost to local health capacity while wider redevelopment and seismic strengthening work continues, Health Minister Simeon Brown announced today.

The new 28-bed ward is being fast-tracked under the Government's accelerated hospital wards programme and will help ease bed pressures, improve patient flow, and ensure services can continue safely during major construction on the hospital's permanent inpatient facilities.

"The 28-bed ward will allow services to be relocated while major redevelopment work progresses at Nelson Hospital, including seismic strengthening of existing buildings," Mr Brown said.

Rapid Delivery Through Off-Site Construction

The project is being delivered through a modern rapid-build approach, combining off-site construction with on-site preparation to speed up delivery and reduce disruption.

The build includes:

• Around four months of off-site construction, and

• Approximately six months of on-site works

By running both stages in parallel, the ward can be completed sooner while maintaining high quality standards.

"Running these stages in parallel accelerates delivery, maintains high quality standards, and limits disruption to daily hospital operations," Mr Brown said.

Boosting Capacity and Improving Patient Flow

Once operational, the ward will immediately increase Nelson Hospital's inpatient capacity, helping relieve current bed pressures and supporting smoother patient movement through the hospital system.

"Once operational, the ward will boost inpatient capacity, easing current bed pressures and improving patient flow while Nelson's permanent inpatient building is completed," Mr Brown said.

The ward will also provide flexibility during redevelopment works, ensuring patients continue to receive care without interruption.

Part of a Nationwide Rapid-Build Hospital Expansion

The Nelson ward is the next step in a nationwide rollout of five rapid-build inpatient wards being delivered through the Government's accelerated programme.

With Hawke's Bay already underway, the initiative is focused on quickly expanding capacity in hospitals where demand is greatest.

The programme is backed by a $90 million Budget 2025 allocation, which will deliver:

• 140 new hospital beds across key sites next year

• Faster construction timelines compared with traditional builds

• Improved patient and staff outcomes sooner

"These rapid-build wards can be delivered more quickly and at lower cost than traditional builds, enabling us to expand hospital capacity where demand is greatest," Mr Brown said.

Modern Infrastructure Supporting Better Care

The rapid-build approach is designed not only to deliver beds faster, but also to improve cost control, reduce construction disruption on busy hospital campuses, and bring earlier benefits to patients and frontline staff.

"Off-site construction allows faster delivery, better cost control, reduced disruption for hospitals, and earlier benefits for patients and staff," Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown said the investment reflects the Government's commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring communities can access high-quality services close to home.

"Investing in modern, purpose-built infrastructure is about supporting better care and ensuring patients remain at the centre of every decision," he said.

"This new ward will strengthen services across Nelson Marlborough and help ensure people can access the care they need, close to home."