'Building up': New report shows Emergency Departments under 'increasing pressure'
A doctor says urgent action is needed to stop our Emergency Departments spiralling downwards.
A report from the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine finds more money must be spent on building capacity and doctor numbers in EDs.
Admissions rose 21 percent in the past decade, far exceeding the 13 percent population growth.
Chair, Doctor Michael Connelly says things have been getting worse for years.
"We're reaching that point where there's quite a bit of stress on the people that are working in the system, and it can have adverse effects on patients - and any loss of people working in the system can be detrimental."
LISTEN ABOVE
- Emergency departments nearing 'breaking point'
- Health NZ to hire 380 extra nurses, midwives and assistants in next year
- Govt promises 'faster access' to maternal mental healthcare, more frontline staff
- Budget 2026: Health and infrastructure key priorities
- Health NZ internationally-trained nurses rise by more than 4800 since 2021
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you
Get the iHeart App
Get more of the radio, music and podcasts you love with the FREE iHeart app. Scan the QR code to download now.
Download from the app stores
Stream unlimited music, thousands of radio stations and podcasts all in one app. iHeart is easy to use and all FREE