For the second time in three days, there will be no urgent care clinic in Canterbury with Christchurch's 24 Hour Surgery reducing hours tonight because of a serious staff shortage.
It also had to shut shop on Saturday, with the already-stretched workforce being reduced further due to Covid and other winter illnesses.
Patients who have been seen, faced waits of up to six hours, while staff have been pulling huge shifts to try and get on top of the backlog.
Pegasus Health general manager of patient and provider services, Lisa Brennan, says the clinic had no choice but to close between 3.30pm and 12pm.
In a statement, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury says Christchurch Hospital's Emergency Department continues to offer emergency care 24/7.
