Southland Hospital patient with infected wound left after 7-hour wait due to staff shortages and reduced GP practice hours.
A Southland Hospital patient, Binn Wharton, with an infected wound, waited seven hours in the ED before leaving due to severity. His experience highlights staff shortages in the region after 24 GP practices and clinics reduced hours or closed in the first eight months of 2023 due to cost pressures. Long waits have placed strain on emergency departments, leading to concerns over public health safety.
April 26, 2024
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