The Health Minister's not buying Opposition's criticism of Nelson Hospital's brought-forward upgrade.

A temporary site will be in place in about a year, and a 128-bed inpatient building will be delivered by 2029.

Meanwhile, Labour is calling the move a downgrade - as while they were in Government, they announced an upgrade with more beds than under the coalition's announcement.

Simeon Brown says this will substantially increase beds in a cost-effective way.

"If we continued with Labour's approach which they wanted to do, it was going to cost up to $1.8 billion dollars."

LISTEN ABOVE

The Health Minister's not buying Opposition's criticism of Nelson Hospital's brought-forward upgrade.
A temporary site will be in place in about a year, and a 128-bed inpatient building will be delivered by 2029.
Meanwhile, Labour is calling the move a downgrade - as while they were in Government, they announced an upgrade with more beds than under the coalition's announcement.
Simeon Brown says this will substantially increase beds in a cost-effective way.
"If we continued with Labour's approach which they wanted to do, it was going to cost up to $1.8 billion dollars."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Simeon Brown: Health Minister on the new redevelopment confirmed for Nelson Hospital

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/09bc3d32-b6b0-4228-803a-b2e9006de8dc/transcript