Simeon Brown: Modular wards aren't ideal, but we need the beds

The Government has announced 140 new hospital beds across the country to ease pressure on emergency departments.

These beds will be part of new wards in Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington, and Nelson hospitals, alongside the new Hawke's Bay ward announced earlier in the year.

Health Minister Simeon Brown says operational funding for the 350 extra staff that will be needed, has already been approved.

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