title: Increasing patient numbers: the implications for New Zealand emergency departments.
abstract: Within the New Zealand (NZ) health care system, a number of changes have affected the way health care is accessed and delivered. Emergency Departments (EDs) are noticing increased attendance of patients with minor or non-urgent conditions. This increase in patient volume, together with on-going fiscal constraints and restructuring, has placed an added strain on the functioning of EDs. New Zealand nurses need to question the role currently given to EDs and identify the issues surrounding the increased use of these departments for primary health care. Is this move feasible in the NZ environment, and what are the implications for emergency nurses?
authors.affiliation: Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department, New Zealand.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000379:methods; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005544:Forecasting; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000458:organization & administration; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009520:New Zealand; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*