The Covid-19 outbreak is putting New Zealand's intensive bed capacity under increased strain and there's growing concern about the consequences of a wider and more significant outbreak of Delta in the country.
There are approximately five beds for every 100,000 people, placing New Zealand near the bottom of the OECD rankings.
Even when the health system is operating at normal levels without Covid-19, ICU can struggle to meet demand.
Now, Auckland hospitals are asking other regions to send intensive care nurses, plus general nurses for MIQ facilities, to help with the outbreak.
Dr Rob Bevan is the vice president of the College of Intensive Care Medicine and is an intensive care specialist at Middlemore Hospital.
Health workers take part in ICU training for Covid-19 at Hutt Hospital. Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
