Like all DHBs across the country, Whanganui remains on Code red. We are staying in touch with the health sector response all day and aside from being asked to provide information on the number of available beds, including aged care, and staff, nothing else has been requested of us as yet.
 

Staff offers of availability are much appreciated. We have a list compiled so that once we are asked for staff we will be able to respond quickly. A lot of staff from across our services and professional groups have expressed their willingness to work out of Whanganui. We understand that our primary care colleagues have done the same.
 

So far only the South Island and large tertiary hospitals have been asked for support. We will continue our approach of maintaining business as usual until we are specifically asked for help.
 

All support given to Christchurch is being managed nationally and staff have been asked to resist offering their support directly to their Christchurch colleagues.
 

All indications are that our sector is going to need to support Canterbury DHB for quite sometime so matching the available assistance to the need will be vital.

Ends