Northland flu patients flock to hospital
Whangarei emergency department flooded with flu patients but Auck District Health Board is finding it no busier this winter than last
The Auckland District Health Board says it is no busier this winter than last, despite emergency departments in Northland being flooded with people presenting with flu-like symptoms.
While swine flu numbers nationally are down on last year, admissions for winter illnesses hit a high for the year last week, with nearly 2,000 people visiting hospitals.
In Northland, Whangarei emergency department clinical leader Scott Cameron says his team has been overloaded with cases and it was very uncomfortable in terms of staffing and space. Last year, people with the flu were kept away from hospitals but this year more patients presenting with the illness.
