Health Minister Simeon Brown denies telling hospitals to save money as flu surge bites
New Zealand Health Minister Simeon Brown has denied allegations that the government is pressuring hospitals to cut costs amid a severe influenza surge. Despite reports of emergency departments operating at double capacity, the government maintains it is working toward long-term health targets.
Why it matters
It reflects the ongoing struggle of public health systems to manage post-pandemic surges while balancing fiscal constraints and political accountability.
The health system has been under significant pressure this winter, with Auckland City Hospital saying it's been worse than expected.
On Tuesday, Tauranga Hospital emergency department (ED) staff declared a 'state of emergency' , saying the ED was running up to 200 percent capacity without the staffing needed.
In July, ED staff at North Shore Hospital said they faced chronic understaffing with some patients waiting 50 hours.
Elective surgeries have also been postponed as winter illnesses surge.
In July, Christchurch Hospital ED's Dr Dominic Fleisher said a few minutes would be acceptable, but "patients are there for hours overnight". In August, St John's director of ambulance operations Doug Gallagher told us they were getting a call every 20 seconds, which was not sustainable.
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