Medical Pacific, on behalf of Justine Lady Hogan and Dr Luk Chin, have received Waipa District Council approval for the development of a major medical complex to be developed on Victoria Road. The Health Hub Cambridge, a 7,300m² complex will provide a wide range of medical services for Cambridge and the surrounding districts. Given the substantial growth in the area, medical services have been under pressure for some time. With increasing pressure on the Public Health Sector, Justine Lady Hogan and Dr Chin believe that Cambridge urgently requires additional capacity of medical services. This will provide a level of independency from Hamilton which is also facing growth demands.

This is a significant development for Cambridge that will bring together a large range of services for the community. Dr Chin and Medical Pacific were involved in the founding of Anglesea Clinic in Hamilton. Their expertise in medical development supports Justine Lady Hogan in achieving her vision of providing medical services to Cambridge and Waipa as a whole.

Cambridge is presently experiencing a major General Practitioner shortage, in particular on-demand care and urgent care facilities. Mahoe Medical, presently based in Te Awamutu, will be establishing a new G.P practice in the complex where up to twelve G.Ps will be practicing. Following their practice model in Te Awamutu, Mahoe will offer extended hours urgent care. Within the Health Hub, Mahoe Medical will be supported by Hamilton Radiology and Pathlab, providing comprehensive support together with pharmacy and physiotherapy providers.

The Health Hub will also provide specialist services, centred around a surgical day hospital inclusive of facilities for specialist medical consulting. Dentistry and Audiology are some of the other health services that will be provided. The Health Hub is focused on supporting Cambridge and its’ people. As people of Cambridge have a very special relationship with their pets, a pet hospital is to be included within the complex – possibly a first in New Zealand. This hospital will have a complete surgical unit as well as catering to general pet health services.

The design and construction of the total complex has been awarded to AHS Group, who will be starting on site this month, with the completion set for June 2023. In addition to the Health Hub, a major residential development will be undertaken, comprising 30 bespoke houses and 1.9ha allocated to a townhouse zoned neighbourhood. On the residential development AHS Group will be working with architect Anna-Marie Chin of the award-winning Anna-Marie Chin Architects Ltd, who have extensive experience with residential architecture, most notably the Michael Hills Queenstown Estate. AHS believe that this expertise will offer a diverse perspective to the design for the residential area.

A major component of the overall development will be landscaping, this will be driven by Strategic Landscaping Ltd. It has been agreed with Waipa District Council that feature rocks will be a key aesthetic of the landscaping, together with feature trees; aligning with the unique townscape of Cambridge. With an estimated value of $100 million, this will be of major economic value to Cambridge and the Waipa district.

Provisions have been made within development planning for future expansion of health services including rehabilitation services such as hydrotherapy. The Waikato District Health Board has also been approached regarding satellite services and the possibility of a birthing centre.

Dr Luk Chin believes that there will be major changes in health delivery in future. The significant impact of the current pandemic will put increasing pressure on our public health system. A team approach between public and private will be required to meet the demands of the future, and that decentralising of health services can only have a positive impact to the health sector overall.