Christchurch Hospital's bed occupancy reached 99% at one point on Wednesday. Photo: Geoff SloanThe Nurses' Organisation says Christchurch Hospital is reaching capacity, with some elective surgeries cancelled on Wednesday. Allister Dietschin, a healthcare assistant and Nurses' Organisation delegate, said the hospital was "heaving" and it had been "madness" for some days. On Wednesday, resourced bed occupancy in the hospital reached 99%. Christchurch Hospital "often" had high volumes of patients and not enough staff.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 26, 2026 01:28 UTC