Christchurch Hospital is postponing outpatient appointments and procedures to free up medical staff for more serious cases, as Canterbury's health services heave under Covid and winter ills.
High levels of acute respiratory illnesses, pressure on the emergency department and a lot of sick staff have forced the move with Covid cases forecast to keep rising over the next few weeks.
One day this week the hospital had 111 patients with Covid - its highest number yet.
Becky Hickmott is the executive director of Nursing for Te Whata Ora Waitaha Canterbury. She talks through the situation with Lisa Owen.
