Central Lakes Trust (CLT) and Southern Cross Hospitals have announced today they will invest in a new surgical hospital located in Queenstown, with construction expected to be completed by late 2021.

The site of the hospital, known as Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital, has been confirmed as land adjoining Queenstown Country Club, on the Frankton – Ladies Mile Highway.

The hospital site will be developed by Sanderson Group, which will lease the facility to CLT and Southern Cross Hospitals.

Once the doors open, Southern Cross Hospitals will manage the facility with CLT as an investment partner.

A range of elective surgical procedures will be undertaken at the new hospital. These will include endoscopy, general surgery, gynaecology, dental, orthopaedic, urology, plastic surgery, and ear, nose and throat surgery (ENT). 

Currently, patients from the Central Lakes region must travel to either Dunedin or Invercargill for these procedures.

Central Lakes Trust chief executive Susan Finlay said it wasn't just Southern Cross members who would benefit from the new hospital. The Southern District Health Board (DHB) confirmed its intention to utilise the hospital for publicly funded services, she said. 

"ACC funded patients will also have access to the facilities as will patients with any health insurance or willing to self fund their procedures," she said. 

Work is due to commence on the new hospital in the middle of next year, with completion expected late 2021.

Southern Cross Hospitals chief executive Terry Moore said they knew Central Lakes residents had been crying out for surgical facilities for decades.

"We believe this will really make a difference, not just for patients in terms of travelling distances but also for visiting family and friends. This simply would not have been possible without support from the Central Lakes Trust.”

Southern District Health Board chief executive Chris Fleming said the DHB was excited about the opportunity to add to the health board's existing theatre services capacity for elective surgery.

"We appreciate the support of Central Lakes Trust in helping make this a reality.”