Wellington's new regional hospital opens

Wellington's new regional hospital has been opened today, ten years after its designs were drawn up.

The $285 million Newtown facility has been officially opened by Governor General Anand Satyanand.

Hospital staff expect 20,000 people to tour the hospital on the public open day on Sunday.

They will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a look at the new intensive care unit, theatres, radiology and other wards before the hospital becomes fully operational.

Displays, mannequins and brand new equipment will show what the hospital will look like when it is up and running.

Capital and Coast District Health Board Chairman Sir John Anderson says the new building is a state of the art facility which is purpose-built and designed. CEO Ken Whelan made light of the debt hanging over the hospital's head.

But Minister of Health Tony Ryall says the budget blow-out of tens of millions of dollars, is a very real problem.

"The National Party's criticism was how the whole building project went in terms of well over budget and the cost that's going to put on future demands on the health service. But look, today's a great day for the staff - the new ultramodern hospital is there."

Mr Ryall says the hospital has been built with fewer beds than the old one, which will be a very real challenge going ahead.

It will be April 3 before the hospital is in full use.

- NEWSTALK ZB