38463 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

38463 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: How many people stayed in the 20-bed ward that was created for patients who were effectively discharged from North Shore Hospital but had nowhere to go for lower level care since the ward was created in May 2025 and for each, how many days did they stay in that ward?

Hon Simeon Brown: As the Member will be aware, Health New Zealand established the dedicated ward to help boost capacity in the busy winter period as part of our focus on putting patients first and ensuring all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare. I am advised that as at 4 August, 145 people had been admitted to Ward 6 at North Shore Hospital since it opened on 12 May 2025. I am further advised the average length of stay is 8.3 days, and that as at 4 August, 125 of these people had been discharged.