Barbara Stewart

Spokesperson for Health
22 JANUARY 2015

Kiwis Missing Out on Surgery for Lack of Beds

Potentially life-saving surgery is being postponed in New Zealand hospitals due to bed shortages in Intensive Care Units, says New Zealand First.

“The ICU is an invaluable cog in our health system but a shortage of ICU beds means people are missing out on surgery,” says New Zealand First Health Spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

“Auckland Hospital used to have a dedicated ICU, but now its beds are available to all patients.

“Everything from a car accident to seasonal flu affects the surgical lists. Even extremely serious surgeries are treated as elective, though I doubt many patients would agree.

“This is being replicated in many hospitals. It means that while we have the surgeons, the nurses, and we even have the theatres, we lack enough beds for specialised post-operative care.

“We have asked the Ministry of Health for the cost of postponed operations but unbelievably they do not collect that data.

“It is shameful that major surgery is postponed due to lack of beds. Even when patients have a date they do not know it will go ahead until the last minute. It is touch and go.

“The Government is threatening to cut another $200 million from our national health budget, but hospitals are already stretched beyond capacity.

“When will the National government realise enough is enough. In the end, it is every day New Zealanders who will pay the real price for their cost cutting,” says Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

© Scoop Media