Labour pledges faster ED waits and review of unused beds

Labour has pledged to order an immediate review of hospital wait times and bed shortages if it is elected to form the next Government.

Leader Chris Hipkins set out the emergency department commitments at an event on Auckland's North Shore on Tuesday, alongside health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall, according to RNZ. The party promised improvements at emergency departments and faster movement of patients through hospital. RNZ

Verrall said Labour would order an immediate report identifying hospital beds that could be opened with more staffing. She said the report would look into deaths and safety linked to long waits. She said Labour would make hospitals accountable for getting patients the care they need.

On staffing, Labour promised to end the National hiring freeze and guarantee every eligible New Zealand-trained graduate nurse a job in the health system. It said around 2400 graduate nurses a year would be offered work, with roles available from 2027. RNZ

Labour pointed to pressure in emergency departments to explain the policy. It cited North Shore nurses describing days with three times the patients the department was staffed to care for. It cited ED staff working at 150-200 percent capacity at Tauranga Hospital, and Wellington's ED being at code red for 84 percent of August.

Verrall said GP fees had increased 21 percent in the past three years. Labour pointed to its policy of three free GP visits a year and its medicard policy as part of its response.