From the late 1950s, plans were made to radically redevelop the Wellington Hospital site.    Many of the original wards and earlier additions were deteriorating, there was a perceived need for yet more beds, and, by the late 1960s, there was a proposal to establish a medical school facility in Wellington.    In keeping with the concept of a modern teaching establishment, and in light of revised population projections, a 1200-bed hospital was planned.

The complex would have included 6, 10-storey tower blocks, all interconnected, and an attached Academic Building for the Medical School.   In addition, a new Accident & Emergency / Outpatient Block was to be built.

This very large project would have seen the demolition in stages of most of the existing hospital buildings.    The only buildings to remain would have been Nurses' Homes 2 and 3, the Nurses' Chapel (opened in 1965), the Seddon Wing, and the Resident Medical Staff quarters.    The plan shows the Total Energy Centre at the centre rear of the complex.

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plan courtesy Wellington Hospital collection