Replacing Copper Pipes at Wellington Regional Hospital

Whakamānawa of the new ward 4 South 

December 18 2023

Replacing Copper Pipes at Wellington Regional Hospital

June 2023 

We are replacing the water system and approximately 20 kilometres of copper pipes across eight-levels of the main building at Wellington Regional Hospital. This work began in January 2021 in the ICU area. Now we are preparing to start work in and around the inpatient wards. 

To minimise the disruption to patients, whanau, and staff we are setting up two 12-bed wards where we can relocate patients away from the building works. This also means we can continue to provide the Hospital’s full number of beds throughout the works. 

Where will the wards be located?

The first will be a temporary ward that will be installed on the level 3 roof of the main hospital building. People will be able to access the temporary ward from doors next to the Red lifts on level 4 from October/November 2023.

The ward is being built offsite as it is the most efficient and cost-effective way to build this particular structure, while minimising the disruption to hospital services. It will be installed by using cranes to lift sections of the wards onto the roof where it will be assembled in parts over mid June/July 2023. 

The second will be a 12 bed ward on level 7 of the main hospital building, called 7 East. In August and then October we will move the Urology and Dialysis Departments to CSB level 3 to refit level 7 as a ward which we expect to open February 2024. We will advise patients of these changes closer to the time via patient letters, signs and information on our website. 

We expect the process for replacing the remaining copper pipes will end in 2026.

Temporary parking limits outside Delivery Suite and MAPU entrance

To install the ward on the roof of the main hospital building, we will install a crane to lift equipment and sections of wards over a series of evenings through June and July, outlined in the table below. To do this, we will temporarily cone off and close the parkingspaces directly outside the Delivery Suite/MAPU (Medical Assessment Planning Unit) on the nights the crane is being installed, or in use. The area that will be closed is marked in red on the aerial photo on the right hand side of this page. 

Patients, whānau and staff will be able to continue using the Delivery Suite/MAPU entrance at all times, by following the signs and directions of the Traffic Management team who will be managing the access to the area, when works are underway. The walkway access is marked by the yellow arrows on the aerial photo on the right hand side of this page. 

These dates could change based on the weather. If they do, it will be the at the same times, the next day. We will share reminders of the times and dates on our social media channels and web page over the coming month.