Despite extensive preparation for a busy winter season, Auckland City Hospital’s director of operations says the pressure on the health system has been “significantly worse” than expected.
Speaking to Morning Report on Tuesday morning, Dr Mike Shepherd said it had been a “very challenging winter” and it is continuing.
Infectious diseases were affecting both patients and staff – and while preparation was done throughout the year – it has been worse than anticipated.
Shepherd said the “very infectious influenza” combined with relatively low vaccination rates and other illnesses such as RSV were contributing to the problem.
Staff sickness was an issue but Shepherd said it was “unacceptable” to expect them to come to work while unwell.
RNZ has reported several nurses from Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital being told to either take some paracetamol or wear a mask and come in to work despite being unwell.
One nurse said it was “not acceptable and it’s very unusual”.
Shepherd said it appeared some mixed messaging had occurred and he wanted to send a “very clear message” that staff should stay home if they are sick.
He said they knew they needed to look after their staff and were “keen” to make sure the whole community understands the importance of being immunised.
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah Dalton said she was “very aware” of how delays to elective care can cause real trauma and difficulty to patients and their families.
Shepherd acknowledged that elective surgeries needed to be cancelled “from time to time” and said it did cause a significant impact for patients.
However, in the Auckland metro area, he said 95 percent of elective surgeries had gone ahead despite the current demand on health services.
Speaking to Morning Report on Monday, Dalton said some departments had gone up to 15 years without staff increases despite a population increase.
Shepherd disagreed with her comments, saying they were aware of population increases and staff numbers had increased in line with it.
He said there had been investment in nurses and senior nurses, for example, to help manage the increasing demand.
Are you a nurse, doctor or paramedic working on the front lines? New Zealand’s health system is responding to its highest levels of demand in recent years, with patient levels above historic winter levels, long wait times, along with bed and staffing shortages. We want to hear from those who are in the thick of it. If you have a story to share, email iwitness@rnz.co.nz – anonymity can be offered.