Waikato seeks help to build $14m children's health unit

The Waikato District Health Board wants to raise $6 million to build a specialist children's health facility.

It hopes work will start within three years on a three-level, 66-bed unit for children from the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti and Taranaki health board areas.

The facility will complement a planned $215 million upgrade at Waikato Hospital.

Plans for the revamp include a new neonatal intensive care unit but make no provision for replacing the hospital's ageing 48-bed paediatric ward.

"The project will cost $14 million, of which $8 million will come from Government and $6 million from the community," health board communications manager Karen Bennett said.

More than 12,500 North Island children are treated at Waikato Hospital each year.

An independent organisation, Foundation 2020, has been set up to lead the fundraising drive. Foundation trustee Graham Naylor said that, while the initial target was $6 million, fundraising would continue to buy additional equipment.

The fundraising started this week when the Chiefs Super 12 rugby franchise adopted Foundation 2020 as its official charity for the next three years.

The facility will centralise children's services which are spread throughout the hospital.

- NZPA