“This new ward is a practical way to meet growing demand quickly,“ Brown said.

“It will provide 28 inpatient beds for short-stay surgical patients and surgical assessments, helping streamline care for this group [of patients] and freeing up surgical and medical beds elsewhere in the hospital.”

Hawke’s Bay Hospital in Hastings has more than 360 beds across the entire hospital facility.

The new ward is expected to be operational in August.

“Increasing inpatient capacity now will reduce the use of overflow areas, improve emergency department wait times and help the hospital manage growing demand while long-term redevelopment continues.”

The new ward is one of five modular units being delivered for hospitals around the country.

“These units are quicker to build and more cost-effective than traditional construction.”

National Tukituki MP Catherine Wedd said the project was “really positive progress for our region to ease the pressure on beds in our hospital”.

“Just last year, we opened the new radiology department and this is another significant milestone for the hospital.”