It describes New Zealand's "comparatively low ICU capacity" as a "potential point of vulnerability" in the Covid-19 response. That's why the shortage of ICU nurses is at the heart of the debate. National Party MP Shane Reti says there are simply not enough specialist ICU nurses. On the groundVice-president of the Australasian College of Intensive Care Rob Bevan says right now intensive care is coping well. Indeed, specialist ICU nurses say they would have to spent time supervising the online trained back-ups, adding more work to an already very challenging job.

Source: Stuff November 18, 2021 20:38 UTC