4 Aug 2012

Hospital wards already full

12:11 pm on 4 August 2012

Wellington hospital has asked GPs to avoid referring patients unless they are acutely unwell because its wards are already full or almost full.

Capital & Coast District Health Board says Wellington hospital has an exceedingly high volume of patients with winter illnesses.

Chief operating officer Chris Lowry says anyone needing hospital care should still go to hospital, or call Healthline (0800 338899).

Medical Officer of health Jill McKenzie says the region is experiencing high numbers of people with the H3N2 flu virus, but numbers are tracking as expected.