Winter illness puts pressure on Christchurch Hospital

Some non- acute or arranged admissions to Christchurch Hospital have been temporarily cancelled as the Hospital works to deal with a sharp increase in admissions due to influenza and general winter illness.

Members of the public are being asked to see their GP or an after hours medical centre if they have a non- urgent illness or injury and keep the Hospital’s emergency department for emergencies only. Patients, who have had their admissions cancelled, will be contacted directly and another time will be arranged for them.

A significant rise in demand for the Hospital’s services began last weekend and is expected to continue for at least the next few days, Canterbury District Health Board’s General Manager Medical & Surgical Service Mark Leggett said.

"As well as cancelling non-acute admissions, we will be ensuring that beds in the hospital are being used in the best way possible to meet the increased need," he said. "We are also reviewing our surgery lists for the next few days and addressing non-essential admissions from other hospitals."

CDHB virologist Lance Jennings said the influenza virus affecting most Christchurch people was the New York strain of Influenza A.

"It has been circulating in New Zealand for a number of months but its activity seems to be peaking in Christchurch now. Activity is likely to decrease over the next four to six weeks."

Dr Jennings said, nationally the virus had largely effected younger people, particularly young adults and children. "People over the age of 65 seem to be relatively well protected, possibly because of a high uptake of this year’s flu vaccine."

Symptoms of this year’s influenza virus include a high fever, headache, muscle aches and pains and a dry cough. To help reduce the spread of the virus, people are advised to stay at home if they are unwell. Washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes can also help to

limit its spread. Those who are ill, should take paracetamol to reduce the fever, get plenty of rest and contact their General Practitioner if they are concerned about their symptoms.