Emergency departments (EDs) in New Zealand are facing overwhelming demand without enough resources to cope. Christchurch Hospital's ED recently had a
Emergency departments (EDs) in New Zealand are facing overwhelming demand without enough resources to cope. Christchurch Hospital’s ED recently had a record 412 patients in a 24-hour period due to difficulties getting timely appointments with GPs and long waiting times at after-hours emergency care. The Minister of Health, Dr. Ayesha Verrall, acknowledged the pressure on EDs, which has increased since the pandemic began. The government is working to address the issue, including supporting GPs to order more diagnostics and boosting vaccination rates. However, some hospitals still lack sufficient staff. The increased demand is linked to the impact of Covid-19. The government is taking steps to manage the flow in hospitals and address the acute demand. National Party health spokesperson Shane Reti has also highlighted the challenges faced by ambulance crews during this busy time.
