Christchurch earthquake: Army field hospital coming from Aust

A 75-bed army field hospital will be used to assist the Christchurch rescue effort. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A 75-bed army field hospital is due to arrive from Australia in Christchurch this afternoon to help with those injured during Tuesday's devastating 6.3 earthquake.

The field hospital will be staffed by 25 Australian clinicians including six emergency department doctors and 13 nurses, the Canterbury District Health Board said.

Since Tuesday's earthquake 164 people have been admitted to Christchurch Hospital with injuries as a direct result of the earthquake.

Some stable patients have been transferred to other hospitals to free beds for the seriously ill at Christchurch Hospital.

Maternity and neonatal services are also busy, and some babies will be transferred to other units around the country.

Canterbury residents with urgent medical needs are able to visit a GP for free until tomorrow night.

- NZPA