Photo: ODT filesCancer care advocate Melissa Vining says Southland Hospital is on the brink of collapse. In addition, Lakes and Gore district patients destined for Southland Hospital were being diverted to Dunedin due to staff shortages. One message Vining received from a staff member at Southland Hospital said "staff are crumbling, breaking down every shift, despite continually giving it their all to keep the patients safe". "A number of Southland Hospital Staff are breaking down every shift due to unsafe staffing levels, they are doing everything they can to keep patients safe. "Previously, a small number of patients from Lakes District Hospital and Gore who would normally be transferred to Southland Hospital, were transferred directly to Dunedin Hospital.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 11, 2022 00:23 UTC