3 Sep 2020

Canterbury DHB children's emergency and acute services can't open

From Morning Report, 7:08 am on 3 September 2020

New services for better emergency and acute care of children at Christchurch Hospital will not open because there's no money to staff them.

The Canterbury DHB is struggling with a $180 million deficit.

It also can't afford to keep its Emergency Department observation unit going when the new Hagley building opens soon, which will have a particular impact on the elderly and mental health patients.

Phil Pennington is looking into this.