New $21 million health facility opens on the West Coast
The Buller community has welcomed the opening of a new $21 million integrated health facility.
Te Rau Kawakawa, located on the West Coast, has been specifically designed to house a range of services, including general practice, acute care, primary birthing and post-natal care, palliative care, urgent care, and child dental services.
The facility, which was officially opened by Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall, will also offer community services such as District Nursing and Home & Community Support Services, Hauora Māori service, mental health service as well as drug and alcohol services.
Radiology and laboratory (phlebotomy) support services will be located on the same site.
Te Rau Kawakawa has a total of 12 beds, including seven overnight beds and a birthing room.
The new facility replaces the former West Coast DHB and was funded by the government.
Minister Verrall, who was present at the opening ceremony, praised the integrated model of care offered by Te Rau Kawakawa and said that patients would benefit greatly from the collaborative approach to healthcare services.
She added that the government is committed to improving facilities for both patients and staff, and that the new facility is an excellent example of healthcare infrastructure projects that are being planned and delivered across the country.
The team at Buller Health currently provides treatment and care in a range of settings every month, including primary to community care, outpatients, and acute care services. The new facility is expected to provide better facilities, significantly improving the team's ability to support primary care.
Dr. Verrall expressed confidence that the significant investment in Te Rau Kawakawa would not only benefit the Buller community but also improve access to healthcare across the West Coast region. Te Rau Kawakawa is one of 104 healthcare infrastructure projects worth a total of $6.8 billion that Te Whatu Ora is currently planning and delivering around the country.
