South Link Health has agreed to fund the resource consent required by Health NZ to sub-divide the Rangiora Health Hub land it owns on which the facility will be built.  This process is currently with Health NZ to confirm that the proposed actions can proceed.

Waimakariri District Council is now also looking at ways it might be able to financially back the project and potentially avoid the need for further consenting.

Last week South Link Health Chief Executive, Karl Andrews and the Chair of South Link Education Trust and Chief Clinical Advisor, Murray Tilyard met with Mayor Dan Gordon, Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson and Chief Executive Jeff Milward to update them on the facility.

Karl Andrews said, “Waimakariri District Mayor Dan Gordon has been a strong advocate of this project from the beginning. We have had regular meetings with him since commencement to keep him updated on the progress and challenges we’ve encountered.

“Last week, Mayor Gordon advised us that the council would, in principle, look to invest in the construction of the Medical Centre. This would provide the capital required that commercial investor options have been unwilling to contribute based on the term of lease offered by Health NZ.”

“We are delighted to have this interest from the Council, and we are progressing those discussions to see what options we might have to achieve this partnership.”

Mayor Dan Gordon says ensuring Waimakariri has access to extended hours and urgent-care health services is of the utmost importance.

“Every week I hear from residents who are concerned about a lack of provision for after-hours health care in our district.

“Over the past few years, I have regularly met with Karl and Murray and offered support where we can.

“Now, Council is looking at ways we might be able to help with financial investment to guarantee the building work commences imminently. The option we are looking at would be taking out a loan to invest in the construction of the facility. The principle and interest on that loan would be met by South Link Health. In doing this they have a confirmed investment partner, and no cost is passed on to our rate payers.

“We also ensure our residents have access to after-hours healthcare which is a strict condition of Council’s involvement.”

Mayor Dan Gordon says if it works out this will be an excellent example of public – private partnership.

“Our residents need this access to healthcare; we have an opportunity to work with sound, reputable investment partners who have already invested in the health of our residents with established practices here in Rangiora for many years.”

A need to change the duration of the original lease agreement with Health NZ has meant the potential requirement of a new resource consent and further delays.

“South Link Health has been seeking to extend the lease duration to ensure a market return on investments for our funding partners,” Karl Andrews says.

To achieve this, it means Health NZ must subdivide the proposed site in accordance with the Resource Management Act.

He says Health NZ has confirmed it will retain ownership of the land and not sell it, keeping it as part of its portfolio. At the end of the lease period any development group is required to walk away from its investment, with the building reverting to Health NZ.

The subdivision process introduces additional costs and potential time delays. With initial indications of 6-8 months for obtaining resource consent for the build to proceed.

However, if the Council can financially enable it, the project could stay within the current 35-year lease and building may commence.

“These are options we are looking at and hoping to have some clarity around soon.

“We know this project has faced significant challenges and delays – but most importantly we want to reassure the community that we are still committed to delivering on it. We have already invested significantly for the Rangiora community’s benefit, and it is still very much our intention to see it through to the end,” Karl Andrews says.

Once complete the Medical Centre will include general practice services with 7 day a week after-hours healthcare, full radiology services including ultrasound, CT and MRI scans and a pharmacy. The project will be situated alongside the Rangiora Hospital and Health Hub.

The Chair of South Link Education Trust and Chief Clinical Advisor, Murray Tilyard says South Link Health knows how important this project is to the people of North Canterbury.

“A robust, 7-day a week extended primary care service is one thing Rangiora cannot survive without. We are committed to delivering that and these are exciting discussions we are having right now.”