Construction has begun on a new $28 million ward for Hawke’s Bay Hospital, which is hoped to be opened by August.

It will have 28 beds and funding for the project was announced by the Government last year.

The ward will be built in sections in Auckland before being driven to Hastings and craned into place.

Health Minister Simeon Brown confirmed construction began on Monday for the “rapid-build inpatient ward“.

That involves four months of factory construction that will run parallel with six months of on-site works.

“This new ward is a practical way to meet growing demand quickly,“ Brown said.

Renders inside the new ward to be installed at Hawke's Bay Hospital in 2026.

“It will provide 28 inpatient beds for short-stay surgical patients and surgical assessments, helping streamline care for this group [of patients] and freeing up surgical and medical beds elsewhere in the hospital.”

Hawke’s Bay Hospital in Hastings has more than 360 beds across the entire hospital facility.

The new ward is expected to be operational in August.

“Increasing inpatient capacity now will reduce the use of overflow areas, improve emergency department wait times and help the hospital manage growing demand while long-term redevelopment continues.”

The new ward is one of five modular units being delivered for hospitals around the country.

“These units are quicker to build and more cost-effective than traditional construction.”

National Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd said the project was “really positive progress for our region to ease the pressure on beds in our hospital”.

“Just last year, we opened the new radiology department and this is another significant milestone for the hospital.”