Auckland hospitals at their upper limit

Checkpoint

Significant pressure at Auckland's major hospitals this winter is being felt across almost all the different parts of the health system, including at general practice, private urgent care and in the community. The pressure is becoming so great GPs have said they are overwhelmed by the sheer number of people with winter sicknesses. One nurse said the system is so stretched she is seeing sick patients discharged into the community before they're ready. Today Health NZ said the city's public hospitals are at their "upper limit", with many turning up at emergency departments with repiratory illnesses, but said it is not turning patients away in Auckland and Northland. Lucy Xia reports.