Embargo until midday Monday March 12
West Coast DHB decides on Buller Health site as location for new Integrated Family Health Centre
On Friday the West Coast District Health Board agreed that its preferred site for the proposed Buller Integrated Family
Health Centre is the current Buller Health site.
Acting West Coast DHB Chair, Peter Ballantyne says “Following submissions and feedback we received a clear mandate from
the community, health professionals and other interested parties that we should locate the proposed Buller Integrated
Family Health Centre on a single site. Two site options were considered – the O’Conor Trust site and the current Buller
Health site.
“The Board visited both sites and after careful consideration we concluded the current Buller Health site is a better
option for the Buller community. Some of the factors influencing our decision included the site’s ease of access and its
central location,” says Peter Ballantyne.
West Coast DHB Chief Executive, David Meates says, “The chance to develop a modern, fit for purpose facility is too good
an opportunity to miss. However it is important to state this is not just about buildings – it’s about developing ways
to look after the wider Buller community that will ensure the best services are provided. We already have an aging
population. As the baby boomer generation ages, we need to plan for community healthcare needs increasing further and
becoming more complex.
“By building a new facility on the current Buller site we will be able to provide the Buller community with a
sustainable healthcare system that’s high quality and effective now and into the future. It is imperative that people
living in this region, or contemplating moving here, have trust and confidence in the healthcare system. Today’s
decision will give them both.
“I appreciate that the O’Conor Trust will be disappointed with our decision as they had hoped we would choose their site
for the proposed Integrated Family Health Centre. We have appreciated their input into our decision making and we will
continue to work with them as we progress the new facility.
“We will now investigate and confirm the funding and investment options arising from our decision. We will keep the
community and key stakeholders informed. At this stage we hope to be able to tender for project management and building
works in June, with building work commencing in September this year and finishing 12 months later,” says David Meates.
ENDS