# Emergency department crises in UK and New Zealand > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/emergency-department-crises-in-uk-and-new-zealand > Updated: 2026-08-25T23:00:44.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Emergency departments in the United Kingdom and New Zealand are experiencing operational crises driven by overcrowding and staffing shortages. In the UK, a Royal College of Emergency Medicine survey found that 51% of respondents consider their departments unsafe, with 88% reporting daily overcrowding. In Scotland, data linked long wait times to 871 deaths in 2025 associated with hospital admission waits exceeding 12 hours. In New Zealand, staff at North Shore and Waitākere hospitals declared a state of emergency. Healthcare workers described working conditions as an “absolute nightmare,” reporting that the North Shore emergency department has operated at 200% to 300% capacity. Staff noted patients being treated in corridors and some being left in soiled beds due to resource constraints. While Health New Zealand attributed high presentation numbers to record-breaking winter demand, staff pointed to systemic issues and a 2024 hiring freeze. In response to the crisis, Health New Zealand announced plans to hire 50 new nursing roles for the affected facilities. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-25: North Shore Hospital staff declare emergency over overcrowding Nurses at Auckland’s North Shore and Waitākere hospitals have declared a state of emergency, citing extreme overcrowding, 300 percent capacity in emergency departments, and critical staffing shortages. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-shore-hospital-staff-declare-emergency-over-overcrowding ### 2026-08-22: Emergency departments face crisis in UK and New Zealand Emergency departments in the UK and New Zealand are reporting critical levels of overcrowding and unsafe staffing, with staff in both regions warning of increased risks to patient safety. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emergency-departments-face-crisis-in-uk-and-new-zealand --- Cite as: Emergency department crises in UK and New Zealand. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/emergency-department-crises-in-uk-and-new-zealand