Rapid review to be carried out after patient dies in Waikato Hospital ED waiting room

The Health Minister says Te Whatu Ora will carry out a rapid clinical review after a patient died in the waiting room of the Waikato Hospital emergency department.

RNZ understands the person died while waiting to be seen overnight on Monday.

The NZ Herald is reporting they were found unresponsive in a toilet after a nine-hour wait.

Simeon Brown said in a statement: "My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the person who has died."

He said he had spoken to the health agency, which would carry out a rapid clinical review to establish exactly what has happened.

"The individual's family will rightly want answers, and Health New Zealand has assured me that they will get them."

He said out of respect for the family, and so that the rapid clinical review could do its work properly, it would not be right for him to comment on the specific circumstances.

"I respectfully ask that others do the same."

Brown had asked to be kept closely informed of the rapid clinical review's findings, and made it clear that the family must be supported and kept fully informed.

"My priority is ensuring the family and loved ones are supported at this difficult time, while Health New Zealand carries out its rapid clinical review."

Health NZ's medical director of medicine at Waikato Hospital, Ian Martin, confirmed the agency was undertaking two reviews - one short term, and one long term - following the death.

"The patient presented to the ED last night and was triaged on arrival," he said.

"The patient was later found unconscious and efforts to resuscitate them were sadly unsuccessful."

Martin said staff "would like to offer our sympathies to the family of the deceased. We have spoken with them this morning and we are continuing to offer them support".

The first review was expected to be completed this week, and the second, which would identify any wider learnings for staff, within two months.