2 Aug 2008

Delays to Waikato elective surgery

7:52 am on 2 August 2008

Some elective surgery at Waikato Hospital has been postponed because of an increase in the number of acute admissions.

The Waikato District Health Board says the number of acute admissions have continued to rise and the hospital's occupancy rate is likely to exceed capacity this weekend.

Group General manager Hayley McConnell says occupancy rates have been growing during the last seven weeks, due in part to winter ailments.

She says all patients will be attended to although there may be some delays.

Hayley McConnell says operations have had to be cancelled when there are not enough beds available for patient recovery.

She says where possible people should try to visit their doctor or a medical centre first.