Thousands of operations delayed during winter flu season

New figures show thousands of patients had their operations put off at the height of this winter's flu season.

They show the impact winter had on the health system, specifically on patients waiting for surgery in the public system.

In August, several hospitals said they were deferring planned procedures during one of the worst flu seasons for years.

Health NZ figures show about 5000 fewer planned operations were done in July and August, compared with May and June - a drop from 38,824 to 33,778.

Planned or elective surgeries were considered non urgent, but included procedures such as hip replacements or gallbladder removal for conditions that could have big impacts on patients' lives.

A Health NZ spokesperson said the "unprecedented surge" in influenza and other respiratory illnesses meant hospital care was in a lot of demand this winter.

Planned care could be deferred during busy illness seasons for several reasons. One was staff sickness, as doctors, nurses and other staff were hit by the same illnesses impacting the rest of the community.

Another was that hospital beds were more likely needed by acutely unwell people, meaning fewer beds were available for post operative care.

Health NZ said surgery was only deferred when it was clinically safe to do so.

"The decision to postpone surgery is not taken lightly," the spokesperson said.

"Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by clinical teams, with patient safety and wellbeing the highest priority."

Released to RNZ under the Official Information Act, the figures showed the system managed a small increase in operations carried out this winter, compared with last winter.

About 370 more surgeries were done this July and August than the same months in 2025, despite many health professionals saying this winter was the worst for illness in a decade.

Health NZ said its $25 million winter plan to increase care in the community, as well as beds and staffing in hospital, was behind the improvement.

Across the year, the fewest surgeries were done in December, January and April, due to summer and Easter school holidays, when more staff were likely to be on leave.