Wairarapa Hospital does not meet earthquake standards, a new report reveals.
Wairarapa District Health Board (DHB) announced today that aspects of the main hospital building’s infrastructure do not meet new building standards.
Hospitals are required to meet the highest earthquake rating, importance level 4, which means the building will be able to withstand a major earthquake, and continue to be operational within one hour.
The DHB’s chief executive, Adri Isbister said it was important for patients and staff to understand the situation was the same now as when the hospital was built in 2006.
“Nothing in the building has changed.
“What has changed is the building compliance requirements and we are working to meet these.”
She said the “services and mechanical plant” in the ceilings of the hospital needed extra bracing, and that was now being addressed by engineers.
At this stage it is expected that hospital services will continue as usual while the remedial work is finished, but hospital management has not ruled out the potential for some temporary service disruption.
“Our priority is to our patients, staff and the community,” Isbister said.
There’s no way the hospital will meet 2030 building standards – better demolish it now.