Up to 4000 people will have their hospital appointments postponed after flooding damaged the new outpatients building in Christchurch.
The premises suffered "significant damage" yesterday after steam from a burst pipe activated the sprinkler system, flooding the building.
The Canterbury District Health Board says arrangements are being made for appointments to go ahead in other locations for acutely unwell patients.
About 500 appointments were postponed yesterday, with another 700 appointments scheduled for each day next week, needing to be rescheduled.
The CDHB says staff are working to reschedule appointments for those affected.
The building will remain closed until at least April 8, however the date will be reviewed again next week.
Some walls, floors and ceilings needed to be replaced. The pipes also needed to be tested before reopening.
In a statement, the CDHB said "we apologise for the inconvenience this flood has caused".
The five-storey outpatients building, opposite the Christchurch Hospital, officially opened in January this year.
It offers a wide-range of services, including diabetes, cardiology and respiratory services.
- By Emily Heyward
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