Thousands treated in Christchurch Hospital emergency department corridors
Wednesday 23 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Health New Zealand, Christchurch Hospital
More than 14,500 patients were treated in the corridors of Christchurch Hospital's emergency department during the 2025-26 period. This figure is more than triple the amount recorded three years ago. Health NZ reports that the hospital is facing some of its highest demand levels in recent years.
Key facts
4 facts
- 14,587 patients treated in Christchurch Hospital ED corridors in 2025-26
- Corridor time increased from 6,126 to over 29,000 hours between 2022-23 and 2025-26
- Self-discharges rose from 2,186 to 5,183 during the same period
- Hamish Brown is the Health New Zealand Canterbury operations group director
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
Christchurch Hospital treated 14,587 patients in emergency department corridors during the 2025-26 period. This figure is more than triple the 3,911 patients recorded in 2022-23. The total time patients spent in corridors increased fivefold, rising from 6,126 hours to over 29,000 hours.
Health New Zealand Canterbury operations group director Hamish Brown stated that the hospital is facing some of the highest demand levels seen in recent years. Brown noted that while the corridors remain safe, the organisation recognises that corridor care is not the desired experience for patients or staff. He added that presentations had fallen from exceptionally high levels recorded in August.
Self-discharges more than doubled over the same period, increasing from 2,186 in 2022-23 to 5,183 in 2025-26. Dr Dominic Fleischer previously described the hospital's operations as "substandard" and "dangerous". He also noted that patients were sometimes placed in corridors at angles to fit more people in.
Where reports differ
- Report 1 states 14,582 patients were recorded in corridors, while Report 2 states 14,587 patients were recorded
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and The Press.