A Whakaata Māori News report has highlighted renewed concern about pressure on Waikato Hospital’s emergency department following the death of a patient after a reported nine-hour wait for care.
Lady Tūreiti Moxon, managing director of Te Kohao Health, said the impact of the tragedy would extend well beyond the hospital, affecting the patient’s whānau, hospital staff, and others who were present. She said long emergency department delays have become distressingly common.
Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board, also expressed condolences and emphasised that no whānau should endure the trauma of losing a loved one while waiting for emergency care.
Board member and Hauraki PHO chair Glen Tupuhi said the focus must be on understanding systemic failure and preventing recurrence, noting that Māori experience disproportionate harm within the health system, including for rurally based whānau who face added barriers such as travel and long wait times.