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Labour calls for hospital rebuild after asbestos find

Author
Jessica McCarthy, NZME news service,
Publish Date
Fri, 23 Oct 2015, 5:34AM

Labour calls for hospital rebuild after asbestos find

Author
Jessica McCarthy, NZME news service,
Publish Date
Fri, 23 Oct 2015, 5:34AM

Labour says the discovery of asbestos at Dunedin Hospital adds urgency to the need for a new clinical services building.

The hospital's radiology ward, laboratory, level four clinic rooms, and theatre have all tested positive for the hazardous substance during routine testing on Wednesday.

Ultrasound outpatient appointments have been cancelled until next week.

Technical advisers briefed the Southern District Health Board yesterday. 

"The wellbeing and safety of staff, patients and visitors at Dunedin Hospital is a priority," Southern DHB commissioner Kathy Grant said.

Dunedin North MP David Clark said the discovery proves the building isn't fit for purpose.

"Asbestos is dangerous and people actually go to hospital to get well, not to get sick, and what we've got here is a situation that appears to have gone on for too long."

Clark believes it's time the Minister of Health got on with building a new hospital.

"It's limping along. Dunedin people, Otago people, and actually people from wider New Zealand who fly there for specialist care need to know that the care is of an international best practice."

No essential services are affected.

The results of extensive swab tests are expected to be made public today. 

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