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How many staff, if any, are required for the children’s emergency department at Palmerston North Hospital to be open and available for use solely and specifically by children presenting to Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department and their family and for paediatric assessment and treatment?

Answered Question 6117 (2026)
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Asked by

Tangi Utikere

Member for Palmerston North · Labour Party

Question

  • How many staff, if any, are required for the children’s emergency department at Palmerston North Hospital to be open and available for use solely and specifically by children presenting to Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department and their family and for paediatric assessment and treatment?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that a minimum of one registered nurse is assigned to the children’s emergency department at Palmerston North Hospital for each eight -hour shift, meaning a total of three registered nurses staff the area across a 24-hour period. Additional clinicians may assess and treat patients in that area as required, but they are not separately allocated to it and move throughout the emergency department.