MP Joseph Mooney's claims that Southlanders are waiting more than 24 hours in emergency departments has been rebuffed by Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand.

The Southland MP claimed yesterday that ED wait times are soaring in Southland, with more than one in five people waiting at least six hours for treatment.

He said data from April 2022 also shows "wait times reached over 24 hours in emergency departments for thirteen people".

"This was only at the beginning of winter, and with headlines of an over-worked and understaffed health sector being reported daily, we expect this number to increase".

The claims were made in a media release titled 'Southlanders waiting more than 24 hours in ED'.

But Mooney does not make a distinction in the release about people waiting for treatment in EDs, and those receiving treatment and waiting to be transferred to a hospital bed.

A spokesperson for Te Whatu Ora Southern (which replaced the Southern District Health Board recently), says during April 2022, there were no patients that waited for 24 hours to be seen and receive treatment in the Southland Hospital Emergency Department.

"Some patients had extended stays in the Emergency Department of over 24 hours whilst waiting for a bed in the hospital, but they were all receiving care and treatment during this time", the spokesperson said.

And according to their stats, over 92% of all patients were seen within three hours of presenting, and 99% within 6 hours.

Southland MP Joseph Mooney

Mooney had said his data shows "the Southland region is among the worst performing in the country, compared to the reporting from 2017".

"The system is not coping, and when Kiwis need urgent help, they are forced to wait. With some wait times becoming unbearable, people leave – sometimes with tragic consequences," he says.

"Exhausted, hardworking emergency department staff see no support, hope, or plans in Andrew Little’s public statements while he denies a health crisis."

He called on Little, who is the Minster of Health, to refocus the $486 million being spent on health reforms to relieve pressure in emergency departments.

The Southland App asked the Minister for comment, but his office deferred to Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, as it is an operational matter.

"Southland attained 79% against the ED target in April which, whilst not where we would like it to be, compares favourably to many Emergency Departments across the New Zealand," the Te Whatu Ora spokesperson said.

"We are exceedingly grateful for our professional hardworking staff who continue to provide excellent care to our patients during what had been a challenging time for the health sector."

Mooney also highlighted reports that suggest the previously approved plans for a new operating theatre and a bigger emergency department at Southland Hospital have been put on hold.

The Te Whatu Ora spokesperson said the business cases for the extensions to the Emergency Department and Operating Theatres "are in the final stages of being completed before being presented for consideration to Health New Zealand".