The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

This week the board agreed to refurbish the existing hospital and add a health centre in the town, 140 kilometres north of Hastings. Depending on the option chosen it would cost between $2.4 million and $5m. The hospital buildings have long been considered cramped, which has had an impact on health services and the town's ability to attract medical staff.

At a board meeting on Tuesday, health board chief executive Kevin Snee said Wairoa's health service was about three years away from collapsing through dwindling staff numbers. It was difficult to attract GPs, nurses and specialist therapists to the district. Under the plan, the 16-bed hospital, built in the 1950s, would be modernised.

A health centre would be incorporated to house GPs as well as public health and district nurses, midwives, mental health staff, social workers and ambulance personnel. Physiotherapy and pharmacy services could also be included.