Wellington, May 11 NZPA - The Government has approved a $208 million upgrade for Auckland's Middlemore Hospital, Health Minister Tony Ryall announced today.

He said it would create more than 1000 jobs in south Auckland and meet its growing need for hospital services.

The Government is putting in $100 million and the balance will come from Counties-Manukau District Health Board's resources.

"All up, the people of Counties-Manukau will see a new theatre complex of 14 theatres, including three new theatres, more than 70 new hospital beds which will help management and flow of patients referred from GPs and a trebling of capacity in the High Dependency Unit to 18 beds," Mr Ryall said.

"This is about planning for the future in one of the fastest growing areas in New Zealand."