Canterbury’s unprecedented patient load wipes aside forecasts

Using data to forecast the future has been a huge asset for Canterbury’s health service, allowing it to meet ever-increasing demand. But as with any sort of analysis, forecasting is never 100 per cent accurate. Last year’s forecasts showed 2019 would be a year of immense pressure but, in fact, January alone has already exceeded expectations for patient volumes. Reporter Zahra Shahtahmasebi spoke with Canterbury DHB chief executive David Meates on the difficulties the health services have been facing