Health Minister, Hon. Tony Ryall's announcement that government had approved the preliminary design stage for the $82 million Hutt Hospital redevelopment, was warmly welcomed by Hutt Valley District Health Board's Chair, Peter Glensor, today.

Mr Glensor said that the DHB's Board and staff had worked incredibly hard to get the project approved and on the way to being built. "The Board sees this project as essential to being able to provide the level of service our community needs into the future," Mr Glensor said.

Mr Glensor said that he and the Board were particularly gratified at the way the project leaders had brought the project along to its current stage. "It's apparent that there has been ample consultation with clinical and other staff," he said. "This project will provide the Hutt Valley community with the most modern operating theatre and emergency department facilities in the country."

He noted that staff had continued to provide services to ever increasing numbers of people, in spite of the severe constraints of only four operating theatres and 13 treatment bays in Hutt Hospital's emergency department.

The new project will be complete in mid-2012. Mr Glensor said that the two temporary 'clip-on' day surgery theatres, which will be completed in October this year, were a signal of the Board's intent to provide increased services to Hutt people as quickly as possible. "They are an innovative solution in the short term," he said.

Mr Glensor said he greatly appreciated the government's support of the project. "In difficult economic times this is a major boost to the Hutt Valley's economy," he said.