Wellington Regional Hospital Opens State-of-the-Art High Dependency Unit

The new 12-bed HDU is equipped with cutting-edge medical technology and staffed by a dedicated team including intensive care specialists, registrars, and nurses specially trained in critical care.

Health Minister Simeon Brown today officially opened Wellington Regional Hospital’s first High Dependency Unit (HDU), a move designed to significantly enhance critical care services across the lower North Island.

The new 12-bed HDU is equipped with cutting-edge medical technology and staffed by a dedicated team including intensive care specialists, registrars, and nurses specially trained in critical care. This facility aims to alleviate longstanding pressure on the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Emergency Department (ED), improving patient flow and reducing wait times.

Previously, Wellington Regional Hospital relied solely on the ICU for all critical care patients, including those whose conditions were serious but did not warrant full intensive care. This reliance often resulted in the ICU reaching capacity with unexpected admissions, severely affecting scheduled surgeries such as major cardiac operations and significant cancer procedures.

Minister Brown highlighted the operational challenges posed by this arrangement, noting that capacity issues frequently caused delays and postponed elective surgeries. Patients requiring urgent critical care from the ED often faced prolonged waits for ICU beds to become available, exacerbating strain across the hospital system.

“The introduction of the High Dependency Unit addresses these critical issues directly,” Mr Brown said. “By providing specialized care for patients who need close monitoring but not full intensive care, this unit frees up ICU resources, significantly reducing bottlenecks in patient flow.”

The HDU is expected to have an immediate impact, supporting Wellington Regional Hospital in achieving key government healthcare targets, including shorter wait times in emergency departments and reduced delays in elective treatments.

Minister Brown reinforced the Government’s commitment to upgrading health infrastructure as a priority for ensuring timely, high-quality healthcare access.

“This unit represents a major step forward for the region’s health services. Patients across the lower North Island and upper South Island who need advanced post-operative care can now receive it promptly and effectively," Mr Brown added.

The HDU's opening has been widely welcomed by medical professionals and health advocates as a significant enhancement to the region's healthcare capabilities.