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A top doctor is warning that long waits in over-run emergency departments this winter could result in increased illness, injury and death.
Cases of influenza and Covid-19 are already putting pressure on hospitals, and the health system is now preparing for outbreaks of RSV, measles and whooping cough.
Although winter has only just begun, demand for urgent medical attention is already high with some people waiting more than 24 hours to be admitted to hospital, and EDs so full that ambulances are unable to unload.
Many hospital emergency departments are pleading with people to only show up if they're seriously sick, and to visit their GP in the first instance.
It comes on top of an acute staffing shortage, with staff illness putting more strain on pre-pandemic workforce woes.
Lynn speaks with Dr John Bonning, spokesperson for the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine and Dr Christine McIntosh, Clinical Director for Whanau HQ, the home isolation service for the northern region health centre.
