There are hopes faster emergency care will ease pressure across the health system.  

In the three months to October, about 74% of ED patients were admitted, discharged, or transferred within six hours. 

That's up from about 72% a year earlier. 

Health New Zealand Chief Clinical Officer Richard Sullivan told Mike Hosking teams are working hard to manage patient flow, as EDs are handling up to 7% more patients than last year. 

He says they’re working to strengthen primary care, but the pressure is coming from illness in an ageing population and outbreaks. 

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