27866 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

27866 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Has any rural or community hospital emergency department or acute service been closed, reduced, or placed on diversion due to staffing shortages in the period 1 July 2023 to date, if so, which facilities, on what dates, and for how long?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that providing the Member with this information would require Health New Zealand to undertake substantial manual collation and divert staff from core duties. In accordance with Speaker’s Ruling 210-6, I consider the time, and hence the expense, of answering the Member’s question is not in the public interest.