The countdown is on ……. 17 weeks until Waikato District Health Board's Older Persons and Rehabilitation Building opens in Hamilton.

The $40 million building has stunning views overlooking Hamilton’s Lake Rotoroa and will combine services currently spread around five locations on the Wairoa Waikato hospital campus into one location, for the first time ever.

Services moving include orthopaedic rehabilitation, combined stroke, older persons, mental health for older people, gymnasium, outpatient clinics and offices.

Group manager Barbara Garbutt said the building, first mooted four years ago, would provide an environment "fit for purpose" for patients and their families.

The plan is for a phased move of the wards and services over two weeks from Friday 28 June.

"This is very exciting as it has been a long time coming and it is great to finally have a date to work towards," said Mrs Garbutt.

• Friday 28 June - Ward 54 move to Level B1 and become known as Ward OPR3 - Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
• Monday 1 July - Ward 55 move to Level 1 and become known as Ward OPR4 – Combined Stroke
• Wednesday 3 July - Ward 58 move to Level B2 and become known as Ward OPR2 – Older Persons and Rehabilitation
• Monday 8 July - Ward 30 move to Level B2 and become known as Ward OPR1 – Mental Health for Older Persons
• Wednesday 10 July - The gym, outpatient clinics and offices move to Level B1

Ward OPR5 – A further general health of older people and rehabilitation ward will open as demand increases for beds, reflecting the population growth in older people
 
Construction of the new building started in November 2011.