Dr. Shane Reti: National Health spokesperson says many people are ending up in ED for issues that should have been resolved earlier

National says compounding issues in the health sector are coming to a head in emergency departments. Figures released to Newstalk ZB show over the past five years, 32 of the country's 37 main public hospitals recorded an increase in ED wait times. National Health Spokesperson Shane Reti says it's an ongoing trend. He told Kate Hawkesby too many people are ending up in ED for issues that should have been resolved much earlier. Reti says emergency departments are tired, exhausted, and understaffed, with people turning up with issues that could have been dealt with in primary care. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.