Middlemore Hospital nurses reportedly asked to work despite calling in sick
Nurses at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland report being pressured to work while sick due to severe staffing shortages and high patient volumes. The hospital is currently struggling with a significant surge in flu-related hospitalizations.
Why it matters
It highlights the critical strain on public healthcare systems and the ethical concerns regarding workplace safety and patient care during health crises.
Some nurses working in the emergency department at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital say they have been asked to come to work despite calling in sick.
They say they have repeatedly raised concerns with management about the pressure on staff over the past two months, but little has changed.
One of the country's busiest hospitals, Middlemore has been under significant pressure in recent weeks as emergency department presentations and staff sickness increase.
Last week, an emergency department doctor at the hospital told RNZ more than 100 people were waiting to be seen late on Wednesday night .
They described the situation as "appalling" for both patients and staff.
The doctor said the emergency department reached 103 patients waiting in the queue at 11.15pm, with seven doctors rostered overnight.
Those patients were in addition to people already receiving treatment and waiting for hospital beds.
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