<\/p>\n
\nWellington Hospital.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ REECE BAKER\n<\/p>\n
Wellington Hospital will have a new $16 million operating theatre by early 2028.<\/p>\n
Health Minister Simeon Brown said Health New Zealand had approved the funding for what’s known as a hybrid theatre.<\/p>\n
It allows for both traditional surgery and the use of imaging technology – meaning teams can complete complex procedures in one place, without having to move patients between theatres and imaging suites.<\/p>\n
Brown said moving patients can create delays and extend recovery times.<\/p>\n
“The new $16.25 million hybrid theatre directly addresses those challenges, delivering the highest standard of care in a single, seamless environment,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It will replace the current model where a single patient may need to be seen by two different teams in separate rooms.<\/p>\n
“By consolidating care in one space, Wellington Regional Hospital will be able to increase its surgical output, allowing more patients to receive timely, quality treatment.”<\/p>\n
The theatre will be built on the hospital’s third floor, replacing a non-clinical space. It will have direct access to the emergency department, intensive care unit and post-anaesthesia care unit.<\/p>\n
The build will begin mid-to-late 2026, and the theatre will be operating between late 2027 and early 2028.<\/p>\n