A new high-tech cardiac catheterisation lab is now open at Tauranga Hospital, improving access to life-saving heart treatment across the Bay of Plenty.

Health Minister Simeon Brown said the state-of-the-art facility would help future-proof cardiac care for the region.

“With two cath labs now operating at Tauranga Hospital, this is a major step forward for patients in the Bay of Plenty and nearby communities,” said Brown.

 Health Minister Simeon Brown. Photo / file

The new lab replaces the hospital’s original suite, which had delivered more than 1,200 procedures annually since 2017 and had reached the end of its clinical life.

The upgrade means more complex, non-surgical heart procedures can now be performed in Tauranga, rather than requiring patients to travel to Waikato or Auckland.

“This will give people faster access to world-class treatment, closer to where they live,” said Brown.

The new lab features advanced imaging and diagnostic technology designed to improve clinical accuracy, enhance safety, and reduce radiation exposure for both staff and patients.

It offers a full range of services, including angiography, stenting, pacemaker insertions, electrophysiology, and endovascular aneurysm repairs.

The lab will initially operate five sessions a week, with plans to expand to ten. Across both cath labs, the hospital will soon be offering 20 sessions weekly, up from 15.

“This upgrade positions Tauranga to take on more patients from areas such as Rotorua and Taupō, easing pressure on other hospitals in the region,” said Brown.

“It strengthens Tauranga’s role in the wider health system and means better access to treatment for more people.”

Brown said the investment reflected the Government’s commitment to improving health outcomes for all New Zealanders.

“Upgrades like this ensure more people receive the care they need when they need it – and without having to leave their own region to get it,” he said.