Health

North Shore Hospital emergency department in crisis with patients waiting in soiled beds

Nurses at North Shore Hospital's emergency department say severe overcrowding and understaffing have created dangerous conditions, with patients waiting over 50 hours.

Skinny McBuntu

North Shore Hospital's emergency department is experiencing severe overcrowding and understaffing, leaving patients waiting in soiled beds for extended periods. Nurses have declared a state of emergency, saying conditions have become increasingly untenable and that Health NZ failed to plan adequately for winter. Staff are demoralised and patient advocates say some emergency departments are in a state of failure. Health NZ officials have met with nurses to discuss the crisis.

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Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.

What outlets are saying

RNZ

Auckland Hospital's near-constant overcrowding putting patients at risk, doctor says

The doctor says it's leaving staff demoralised, while a patient advocate says data shows some EDs are in "a state of failure".

Read the full story at RNZ

NZ Herald

Auckland Hospital’s near-constant overcrowding putting patients at risk, doctor says

'Auckland’s ED continues to experience significant demand' – Dr Michael Shepherd.

Read the full story at NZ Herald

RNZ

'Absolute nightmare' – patients left waiting in soiled beds at North Shore emergency department

Emergency department nurses say Health NZ had failed to plan properly for winter, and conditions are increasingly "feral".

Read the full story at RNZ

1News

'Nightmare' – patients left waiting in soiled beds at North Shore ED

Patients are waiting in soiled beds at North Shore Hospital's emergency department and nurses say conditions are so bad it feels feral.

Read the full story at 1News

Stuff

Hospital ED nurses declare ‘state of emergency’ after patients left in soiled beds

Nurses at Auckland’s North Shore Hospital have declared a “state of emergency”, saying chronic understaffing and severe overcrowding are putting patients at risk and leaving some waiting more than 50 hours in the emergency department.

Read the full story at Stuff

RNZ

North Shore Hospital nurses meet Health NZ over ED 'crisis'

Health NZ officials have met with North Shore Hospital ED nurses to discuss what the nurses are calling a crisis.

Read the full story at RNZ