Auckland’s North Shore Hospital has been diverting some ambulance patients to Whāngarei Hospital due to overcrowding, according to local reports. This measure, described as a response to “huge demand on services,” has been occurring over recent weeks, including on Tuesday night, when both hospitals faced heavy usage. Despite Whāngarei Hospital being significantly smaller, about half the size of North Shore, it is already under serious strain during the current winter season. Health NZ’s director of operations, Brad Healy, stated that only a “very small number” of ambulances were being redirected, and such practices are not uncommon when managing patient flow to ensure timely care. The situation came to light through communication from St John Ambulance, which informed Tim Malloy, a general practitioner at Coast to Coast Healthcare Group in Wellsford, near the Northland border. Malloy received a letter stating that patients from the northern part of the Rodney District would now be transported to Whāngarei instead of North Shore. This change was attributed to the overwhelming volume of patients at North Shore Hospital. Malloy noted that this was the first time his practice had encountered such a directive, highlighting the unusual nature of the diversion policy. The winter season has proven exceptionally challenging for healthcare workers in the region. Malloy, who has practiced for 37 years, described it as the busiest winter he has experienced. At his urgent care clinic, patients often waited up to five hours, and staff members had to work extra shifts, even on their days off, to keep up with demand. The stress of managing multiple patients simultaneously, especially those with serious conditions, has placed considerable emotional and physical toll on medical professionals. Most of the patients arriving at urgent care facilities were suffering from respiratory infections, which appeared to persist longer than usual. Secondary infections were becoming more common, adding to the complexity of treatment. High levels of influenza have further compounded the issue, with the virus affecting not only vulnerable populations but also otherwise healthy individuals. Malloy emphasized that the severity of the winter has led to prolonged illness and increased community impact. Despite the challenges, Malloy observed that patients generally expressed gratitude for receiving any form of assistance. Whether they were transported to North Shore or Whāngarei, many prioritized immediate care over the specific destination of their ambulance. However, he stressed that the ongoing strain on emergency departments is unsustainable. Malloy called for a public vaccination campaign, advocating for free flu shots to reduce the incidence of severe illness and alleviate pressure on the healthcare system. He pointed out that the burden on emergency departments is “ridiculous” and urged collective action from both society and health providers to address the root causes of the crisis. His comments reflect broader concerns among frontline workers about the long-term implications of sustained high patient volumes and the need for systemic improvements to prevent future crises. As the winter continues, the situation remains under close watch, with officials monitoring the impact of ambulance diversions and exploring potential solutions to ease the strain on regional hospitals.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
NZ
