Health NZ winter plan: More services for Whanganui as demand rises

Whanganui Hospital is working to improve patient flow in time for winter. Photo / NZME

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora has increased Whanganui’s access to care ahead of winter to meet seasonal demand.

The boost applies to the Central region, including Whanganui, because winter “traditionally brings increased pressure on health systems”, the agency said.

Respiratory illnesses were identified as a key factor in the added pressure.

Health NZ group director of operations Katherine Fraser-Chapple said Whanganui could expect changes to improve patient flow at Whanganui Hospital.

For Whanganui, the following will be provided:

• Virtual Emergency Department (ED) assessments through Whanganui Accident and Medical will provide rapid registered nurse-led evaluations during busy ED periods.
• An additional senior doctor rostered on weekends to enable ward rounding and timely discharges.
• A clinical nurse specialist will be in ED to advise aged care facilities and primary care, helping to ensure patients receive care in the right place for their needs
• A geriatric Emergency Department intervention clinical nurse specialist will be available seven days a week to provide advice in the care of older patients in the community.

Fraser-Chapple said Health NZ encouraged people to stay healthy by keeping warm, staying up to date with vaccinations and seeking medical advice early if they or someone in their family became unwell.

Central executive regional director Chris Lowry said supporting people in the right places was a “key focus” for Health NZ.

Encouraging people to take early action to help prevent care being needed was another focus, she said.

“Where it’s safe to do so, people often recover better and faster at home. This winter, we’re strengthening co-ordinated care in the community to support earlier discharge and smoother recovery,” Lowry said.

Early flu vaccinations, available through local health providers, participating pharmacies and drop-in immunisation clinics, were a way to protect health, she said.

To prevent respiratory illness, Lowry said keeping homes warm and dry was key.

“Simple steps such as fixing leaks and ventilating the home often can make a real difference, with practical support available through the Healthy Homes Initiative.”

Lowry said hospitals were working to reduce waiting times in emergency departments to improve patient flow.

“The fastest treatment is often the safest treatment,” she said.

“By moving patients through our hospitals as efficiently as possible, we can achieve better outcomes for patients during our busiest months.”

As part of Winter Plan 2026, Health NZ has invested $25 million nationally to support services under the greatest pressure, helping ensure people can access care when demand is highest.

Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.