Taranaki Base Hospital's new East Wing opens, easing capacity pressure

A fresh six-storey building has opened at Taranaki Base Hospital, hoping to support a growing and ageing population.

The opening comes as the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine said many New Zealand hospitals were operating at or above 100 percent capacity, with high pressure on emergency departments.

Health NZ chief executive Dr Dale Bramley said the new facility is designed to ease this pressure.

"The people of Taranaki will benefit from a resilient hospital campus fit for years to come."

The New East Wing building will start with 28 additional patient spaces, eventually reaching 55.

The building is part of a wider $462.6 million redevelopment of Taranaki Base Hospital, which includes the recently opened renal unit and energy centre.

An additional $56.1 million has been invested in the Taranaki Cancer Centre.

"Taranaki is already performing strongly to meet community healthcare needs and this investment will support further improvements," Bramley said.

"It brings essential hospital services together in one place, supporting more timely, integrated care."

The New East Wing Building combines services for emergency, intensive care, diagnostics, maternity and neonatal in one clinical environment.

Health NZ has also invested in a new renal unit, cancer centre, energy centre and campus resilience upgrades.

Bramley said it is one of the country's largest fully electric hospital buildings.

From Monday, patients will begin using the new facility.