Christchurch Hospital's emergency department braces for winter overloadANTONIO GRAVANTE/123RF The CDHB is bracing for an increase in patient numbers over winter. Surgeons will be operating into the night and on weekends to meet an expected surge in patient numbers at Christchurch Hospital this winter. The hospital's emergency department (ED) received 4000 more patients in 2016 compared to 2015 and the demand was expected to continue to grow, a Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) report said. READ MORE:* Christchurch Hospital emergency department swamped by patients* Emergency departments around NZ under pressure* Wellington Hospital emergency department under pressureAn increasing number of rebuild workers who were not enrolled at GPs, an aging population, and people who could not afford to see a GP were adding pressure on the already busy ED. Canterbury's strength was in its strong collaboration between hospital and community services, but the CDHB was still struggling with high patient numbers, he said.

Source: Stuff April 23, 2017 05:34 UTC