Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey says it is hugely disappointing to hear that the council is setting a curfew on the operating hours for Rangiora’s after-hours facility. 

"I question the logic behind this, when the community has been crying out for round-the-clock healthcare," he said.

"One of the major concerns I hear when talking to residents, particularly the elderly and young families, is the difficulty in travelling to Christchurch with a medical issue in the middle of the night. We can hardly expect everyone in the Waimakariri to ensure they have medical episodes before 10pm."

Last year he called a public meeting to update the community on health services in Waimakariri, at which CDHB CEO Peter Bramley announced construction would start in January of this year.

"I think the community has been more than patient with the wait," Doocey said.

"They have put up with delays due to consenting, the governments health restructure and construction issues. The cost of inaction means the project is now unlikely to be complete much before the end of 2024.

"I urge the council to talk to Health NZ to get these hours extended, or alternatively explain to the community why they seek to impose a curfew on this much-needed health facility."