Middlemore at record capacity
The emergency department at Middlemore Hospital has reached record levels of patients in June.
The hospital is at 105 per cent occupancy, with more than 350 patients coming into the hospital each day over the past week. On Monday, June 26, that number reached 393.
Counties Manukau Health’s acting chief medical officer Dr Vanessa Thornton says it’s unusual to be so busy this early in winter - normally it has about 300 people each day.
It’s the highest and fastest rate of increase in demand for services the DHB has ever experienced, she says.
About 36 per cent of emergency presentations become hospital admissions, she says, and it’s putting a lot of stress on the organisation.
‘‘We don’t know why there’s an increase,’’ Thornton says. ‘‘Obviously we have winter illnesses but that sort of thing we expect in August and September.’’
Thornton says there’s a growth in the number of patients with medical issues, as well as a high number of children coming into the emergency department.
Respiratory illnesses are typical for winter, she says, and alcohol related injuries are also a growing trend.
The DHB’s target is to see people within six hours of arrival, with a focus on those with serious conditions, but Thornton says people with minor illnesses or injuries are facing long wait times
A lot of work is being put into providing additional staff and increasing ward rounds, with an extra 34 beds added to help meet the high occupancy.
She says there was already a plan to increase staffing in early July as well as in its paediatrics team to cope with the high numbers of children in hospital.
The DHB normally increases its clinical staff availability to meet the winter workload, she says.
‘‘People are working very hard, and a lot of staff are helping out with extra work.
‘‘Winter always has a peak and there’s a staff increase which normally does drop down again and we get a dip in summer. I’m hoping that will happen again.’’
She says people should visit their GP in the first instance if they’re sick to keep the emergency department free for people with life threatening illnesses.
People can also contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice from a registered nurse.