NZ Hospitals Overwhelmed: Hundreds of Patients Flood Emergency Departments Daily

New Zealand Hospitals Face Emergency Department Crisis Christchurch Hospital's emergency department (ED) is facing a crisis, with official figures revealing more than 400 patients are arriving daily. This surge in patient numbers is not unique to Christchurch; other hospitals across the country are also reporting record numbers. Dr. Kate Allan, ED physician and New Zealand chair of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, voiced her concern, stating, "Such issues are not isolated to Middlemore’s ED." A review of Middlemore Hospital’s overcrowded ED last winter highlighted serious patient safety concerns and staff shortages. Over 1500 patients were treated in corridors over 36 days, resulting in 43 patient harm incidents. The situation in Christchurch mirrors these issues, raising serious questions about the capacity and resources of New Zealand's healthcare system. The video underscores the urgent need for addressing the root causes of this crisis to ensure patient safety and improve the quality of care. The high number of patients is already impacting the level of care provided, and the upcoming winter months promise to exacerbate the issue. Dr Allan adds, "And we're not hitting winter yet." The video serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing New Zealand's healthcare system and the need for immediate action.