Ten years before the deaths of a heavily pregnant woman in her 20s and her baby at Palmerston North Hospital's intensive care, concerns were raised about the unit.
A 2012 review released to RNZ said it was outdated even then, with not enough beds and not enough space.
Te Whatu Ora MidCentral says while a refurbished unit with slightly greater capabilities is expected to be up and running next year, a complete replacement could be more than seven years away.
Our Manawatū reporter Jimmy Ellingham has been looking at the story and spoke to Māni Dunlop.
