Cardiac unit in six months ‘unrealistic’

Press, 29 September 1988, Page 6

Cardiac unit in six months ‘unrealistic’

By

SARAH SANDS

health reporter

An attempt to get Christchurch’s cardiac unit built in six months was rejected as unrealistic by the Canterbury Hospital Board yesterday.

A board member, Professor Don Beaven, told a board meeting that it was unacceptable that the target completion period for the unit was 15 months. “I am not prepared to accept it will take 15 months — there is too much bureaucracy built into that and that is not what this board is about,” he said. “When the city and contractors are crying out for work, I would like to know why it can’t be done and I believe we should aim for six months.” If the board aimed to complete the unit in six months, it could be done in eight months, said Professor Beaven. “If we aim for 15 months, it will take longer. This is 1988 — it is a changed climate and the whole attitude to health is different. We

have to make the maximum use of money and resources.” At the board’s works committee meeting last week, several board members blamed the Health Department for the proposed222y 2 year planning and construction period for the unit. A sub-committee was formed to examine the possibility of having the project completed within 15 months. Board members said yesterday that Professor Beaven’s suggestion of six months was unrealistic. Mr David Close said that the unit was a complicated project and the brief for the architect was not complete. “We don’t know what sort of building we are going to put up, we have not established the cost and we still have to find the money for it.”

Mrs June Gardiner said that there were other matters on the works agenda that were also urgent. “The neo-natal unit, for example, was referred two years ago for urgent attention — that was put on the fast track yet we are still finalising the final sketch plans. “If we by-pass and go straight to the cardiac unit, surely it will have an effect on the time-frame of other works.” The board’s acting general manager, Mr Ron Parker, supported the concept of the shortest time for completion of the unit. “It could be slotted into our work plans once the consultants are appointed and the finance found.” The board voted against aiming to complete the project in six months.