Health NZ says winter illness surge ‘far from over’ as high demand expected for several more weeks
Health New Zealand reports that the current surge in winter respiratory illnesses is expected to persist for several more weeks. Hospitals continue to face high demand, leading to the deferral of some elective surgeries to prioritize acute care.
Why it matters
The ongoing strain on the healthcare system highlights the challenges of managing seasonal health crises and the impact on patient access to elective procedures.
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora says the surge in winter illness is “far from over”, with associated pressures on the country’s health system expected to continue for several weeks.
A wave of Influenza A and outbreaks of other respiratory illnesses has washed over the country over the past month, with hundreds of school students being kept home and some hospitals forced to cancel patients’ elective surgeries .
Professor Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard, Health NZ’s national chief medical officer, said the health system was experiencing “some of the highest levels of demand seen in recent years”, with pressures felt across the board.
“Patient numbers remain above historic winter levels and we expect pressure to continue for at least another three to four weeks,” she told the Herald .
“The pressure is far from over, however presentations have reduced from the exceptionally high levels recorded in August.”
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