Wakefield Hospital

A New Era for Wakefield Hospital

Wakefield Hospital has long been a cornerstone of private healthcare in Wellington, providing critical medical services to the region. Recognising the need for modernisation and seismic resilience, the hospital embarked on an ambitious multi-stage redevelopment. With $180 million invested, this transformation ensures that Wakefield Hospital remains at the forefront of healthcare delivery, offering world-class facilities and future-proofing medical services for years to come.

Designed to meet the latest seismic standards, the redevelopment includes an IL3 base-isolated building that enhances resilience against major earthquakes. This project not only strengthens the hospital’s structural integrity but also expands its capacity, introducing innovative medical technology and improved patient care facilities to better serve the community.

State-of-the-Art Medical Facilities

The new Wakefield Hospital brings a significant upgrade in medical capabilities, ensuring the highest standards of care and the ability to meet the evolving needs of patients. Key features include:

• 7 Operating theatres

• 2 Cardiac catheterisation labs

• 4 High Dependency Unit (HDU) beds

• 6 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bays

• 37 inpatient beds on Level 4

• An additional 34 beds on Level 5, set for completion in 2025

These world-class facilities significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to provide advanced medical treatments while supporting the long-term growth of private healthcare in Wellington.

Project Stages: A Phased Approach to Transformation

The redevelopment was carefully structured into multiple stages to ensure minimal disruption to hospital operations throughout construction.

Stage 1 (Completed July 2021)

Stage 1 saw the partial demolition of the existing hospital campus to make way for new, purpose-built medical facilities. A five storey non-clinical building was constructed, providing modern consulting suites, radiology services, a café, and administrative spaces to support hospital operations.

Stage 2 (Completed December 2024)

With the completion of Stage 1, focus shifted to the construction of a five-storey clinical building designed to house state-of-the-art medical facilities. This phase included new ICU/HDU beds, operating theatres and cardiac labs. A shelled fifth level was also incorporated, ensuring flexibility for future expansion as healthcare demands evolve.

Stage 3 (Ongoing, 2025)

The final stage of redevelopment is now underway, which includes the demolition of the remaining existing hospital structure to make way for a new car park facility, including electric vehicle charging stations, improving accessibility and convenience for patients, visitors, staff, and consultants. The fitout of level 5 will also include an additional of 34 beds, supporting the long-term growth of private healthcare in Wellington.

RCP's Role

RCP played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the Wakefield Hospital redevelopment, stepping in at a critical juncture during Stage 1 construction to stabilise project management and later expanding our involvement in Stage 2. In Stage 1, RCP provided Engineer to Contract, Engineer’s Representative, and Project Management services, bringing clarity and structure to the project. Our team introduced strong governance and contract administration to ensure steady and efficient progress.

As the project transitioned into Stage 2, RCP's role expanded to include Design Management and Commissioning, in addition to ongoing Engineer to Contract, Engineer’s Representative, and Project Management responsibilities. Our leadership in design coordination was essential in ensuring that the clinical spaces met hospital operational needs, while our hands-on approach to commissioning—traditionally the responsibility of an independent agent—was instrumental in ensuring all hospital systems were fully functional and compliant before the facility opened.

A Future-Ready Hospital for Wellington

With the completion of Stages 1 and 2, the Wakefield Hospital redevelopment marks a major milestone in the evolution of private healthcare in New Zealand. This project has delivered a seismically resilient, modern medical facility that enhances patient care, expands medical services, and ensures operational continuity in the case of any future seismic event.

The project team’s success is highlighted by the fact that the hospital did not lose a single day of revenue-generating operation – a testament to the close management and collaboration between all project stakeholders.

As Stage 3 progresses, the final enhancements will further improve hospital accessibility and infrastructure, cementing Wakefield Hospital’s position as a leader in private healthcare.