8829 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

8829 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Have any changes been made from on-site staffed coverage to an on-call system for security services at any of the public hospitals listed on the Ministry of Health website since 27 November 2023, and if so, what were those changes, listed by hospital, the date on which those changes took effect, and the impact on staffing?

Hon Simeon Brown: Our Government is focused on delivering timely, quality healthcare for all New Zealanders, and ensuring the security of patients and staff within hospitals is an important part of that. I am advised that as a result of our Government's $31 million funding boost for security at emergency departments, a new permanent 24/7 security guard position has been filled at each of the eight high-priority emergency departments: Waitakere, North Shore, Auckland City, Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin Hospitals. Additionally, 21 emergency departments across the country deployed 37 security guard positions over the holiday period in locations including Bay of Islands, Dargaville, Kaitaia, Whangarei, Waikato, Thames, Rotorua, Taupo, Taranaki, Hastings, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Nelson, Wairau, Christchurch, Ashburton, Greymouth, Timaru, and Queenstown. I am also advised that at Horowhenua Health Centre, operating hours have been expanded from 82.5 to 124 hours per week from 18 September 2024. At Lakes Hospital, a sustained 24/7 security presence has been established, with additional support in place from 18 December 2023 to 7 February 2024 to enhance safety. Furthermore, temporary security reinforcements were implemented to support staff and patients during peak periods. Taumarunui Hospital, Te Kūiti Hospital, Tokoroa Hospital, and Thames Hospital each received additional security personnel from 18 December 2023, ensuring greater on-site presence. These steps reflect our Government's ongoing commitment to strengthening law and order while ensuring access to timely, quality healthcare.