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This comes just days after National committed itself to a new Dunedin hospital.
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Hawke’s Bay
Labour has tried to one-up National by promising to build a new hospital in Dunedin sooner than the government says it can be done in.
This afternoon, Labour leader Jacinda Ardern committed Labour to forking out $1.4 billion for the hospital with construction to begin in its first term if elected.
On Sunday, National said it was committed to building a new hospital, costing between $1.2 billion and $1.4 billion, which would be open in seven to 10 years.
National said it would consider "all funding options including a private public partnership model" – something Labour ruled out today.
“We reject the idea of a PPP as they have a disastrous record in the UK,” Ms Ardern said.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has condemned them as “a millstone around the neck” of the London health system, she said.
“PPP contracts will only slow the construction process down.”
This means the whole $1.4 billion bill will be funded from taxpayers' pockets.
Ms Ardern says there is “sufficient funding” within the government’s capital spending allowance to build Dunedin Hospital without a PPP.
“With Labour’s approach, Dunedin will have a new hospital as soon as possible, and the taxpayer will get the best value for money. Avoiding further delay will minimise costs and mean patients get better care more quickly.”
Labour would also form a group of Southern District Health Board, Ministry of Health, Dunedin City Council, Otago Regional Council and the University of Otago to agree on “the vision for the new hospital” and what each of those organisations will do to help realise it.
“Instead of getting the investment needed in a new hospital, Southern DHB has been chronically underfunded by the government, and Dunedin Hospital’s condition has deteriorated. It poses a risk for patients and hospital workers." Ms Ardern said
Jason Walls
Fri, 25 Aug 2017
Fri, 25 Aug 2017
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