All images © Sarah Rowlands Photography

New Zealand's Most Resilient Hospital

The New Zealand Government invested $122 million to replace the ageing Grey Base Hospital with a modern, integrated health facility for the West Coast community. Officially opened in 2020, the 8,500 m² Te Nikau Grey Hospital and Health Centre includes:

Key Features:

• 56 inpatient beds
• Three operating theatres
• 24/7 Emergency Department
• Critical Care Unit
• Acute and planned medical/surgical services
• Maternity, paediatrics, radiology, and outpatient care

Designed to Importance Level 4 (IL4) standards, the hospital can remain operational after major seismic events, ensuring continuity of care in one of NZ’s most challenging environments.

Challenges

Delivering healthcare in Greymouth meant addressing:

• Seismic Resilience: The facility needed to withstand earthquakes and severe weather.
• Integrated Care: Combining primary and secondary services under one roof.
• Water Safety & Infection Control: Hospitals require precise temperature control, scald protection, and systems that prevent Legionella growth.
• Compliance: Meeting NZ healthcare regulations for plumbing and water delivery.

Products Supplied
To meet these requirements, Galvin CliniMix^® Thermostatic Mixing Valves were supplied, which:

• Prevent Scalding & Cold-Water Shock: Essential for patient safety in critical care and operating theatres.
• Enable Hot Water Sanitisation: Supports infection control and Legionella prevention.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: Fully meets NZ healthcare standards for TMVs.
• Reduce Maintenance Costs: Designed for durability and easy servicing.

The team at Nimbl Group and Galvin Engineering worked closely with contractors and facility managers, providing training and ongoing support to ensure safe, reliable water delivery for decades.

Recent Developments

• Mental Health Expansion: A new $27 million mental health facility is under construction at, adding therapy spaces and outdoor areas for patient wellbeing.
• Technology Upgrades: Operating theatres now support remote specialist monitoring, improving access for rural communities.

Why It Matters

• Patient Safety: Advanced tapware protects vulnerable patients.
• Resilience: IL4 compliance ensures continuity during disasters.
• Integrated Care: Co-location improves efficiency and patient experience.
   

Key Data

Products Installed