6118 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Health

6118 (2026). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Health: For what reason/s, if any, would the children’s emergency department at Palmerston North Hospital be unavailable for use solely and specifically by children presenting to Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department and their family and for paediatric assessment and treatment?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that guidance is in place to support the use of the children’s emergency department at Palmerston North Hospital for 0-15 year olds. I am further advised exceptions to this, allowing flexibility for use by patients aged 16 and over, can be made on a case-by-case basis including to allow family members to be treated together, or for the safe treatment of younger, vulnerable adults.