Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Yesterday Health Minister Simeon Brown announced $100 million has been allocated for hospital maintenance and refurbishment. It will fund 21 upgrades around the country.    The money was set aside in the 2025 budget – listed under things like ‘remediation’ and ‘redevelopment’ - but at the time Treasury didn’t say how much was allocated due to commercial sensitivities.    But it has been announced now, and if you were a cynical person you could think it was timed to distract us from the 48 hour strike - 5,500 ASMS members are undertaking this Tuesday and Wednesday – which will delay healthcare for almost 13-thousand patients.    This is a bit of an underwhelming announcement. The work the money is funding is not sexy. It’s the basic stuff which needs to happen to keep the lights on in some cases, and improve services in others.   Maternity Services are getting an upgrade at Ashburton Hospital.  The Lakes District Hospital is getting an ED expansion – which makes sense co