# The hidden work behind the move to New Dunedin Hospital Outpatients | Whare Mātūtū

Date: 5 Oct 2026
Released by: Health New Zealand

## MediaRelease.co Summary

Health New Zealand describes months of planning behind the relocation into New Dunedin Hospital Outpatients (Whare Mātūtū). Migration manager Robyn Richards says patient experience guided the work so outpatient services were ready when the new doors opened.

## Original release

For patients and staff, moving into a new hospital space should feel seamless. Behind that smooth transition is months of detailed planning, careful coordination and people working together to make sure services are ready when doors open. For Robyn Richards, Migration Manager for New Dunedin Hospital Outpatients | Whare Mātūtū, patient experience has been front of mind throughout the relocation project. “One thing I really enjoy about working with healthcare is that there is a very shared belief that the patient comes first,” she says. Robyn has worked on the project as a contractor since April, helping Dunedin’s outpatient services prepare for the move. While this is her ninth hospital move, she says every relocation is different in size, scope and risk. “If you’re moving an emergency department, you have to have two running at the same time until the move is fully completed. With the outpatients building we were focused on ensuring everything was ready for services to open again as planned.” Robyn’s experience has been critical to ensuring the majority of Dunedin Hospital’s current outpatient services are relocated as quickly and efficiently as possible to ensure patient services continue undisrupted from one week to the next – no easy feat! With 27 years’ experience in relocation projects, she has worked on major hospital moves such as critical services at Taranaki Base Hospital, moves across corporate organisations, government departments and Canterbury Museum, which took a year to pack and relocate. “That was an amazing project,” she says. “In their collections I got to see the dress Kate Sheppard wears on the $10 note, and some of Sir Ed’s belongings.” For Outpatients, the success of the relocation work comes down to what Robyn calls “the nauseating detail”. Every service needed its own detailed move plan, covering what furniture, clinical equipment, consumables and supplies were required, where they would be positioned, when they would be packed and unpacked, and who was responsible for each task. “Something as simple as a trolley can be straightforward to move. But if you're moving a day surgery area, you need to know exactly what equipment and supplies need to remain available right up until services close, and what needs to be waiting and ready in the new location.” The planning was coordinated with Health New Zealand project teams and service leads, who are already well advanced in preparing for the move. For Robyn, making the process smooth means supporting clinical teams to focus on the parts of the move only they can do. “The clinical people I’m working with have full-time jobs, so my job is making this as smooth as possible,” she says. “Services need to pack and set up the things they know best. It’s similar to moving house - I wouldn’t want someone unpacking my kitchen!” Outpatients is set to open for patient care next month. The careful planning and behind-the-scenes work will help patients and staff settle into a modern, purpose-built space that will support outpatient care for people across the Southern region for years to come.

## Key details

- Issued by: Health New Zealand
- Published: 5 Oct 2026
- Publisher country: New Zealand
- Original source: https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/news-and-updates/the-hidden-work-behind-the-move-to-new-dunedin-hospital-outpatients-whare-matutu
- MediaRelease.co URL: https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01226-the-hidden-work-behind-the-move-to-new-dunedin-hospital-05102026.html

Original source: https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/news-and-updates/the-hidden-work-behind-the-move-to-new-dunedin-hospital-outpatients-whare-matutu
MediaRelease.co canonical URL: https://mediarelease.co/nz/mr01226-the-hidden-work-behind-the-move-to-new-dunedin-hospital-05102026.html