Woman given too many opioids on busy night at Middlemore Hospital

Woman given too many opioids on busy night at Middlemore Hospital

The 46-year-old woman went to Middlemore Hospital's busy emergency department experiencing pain.

Middlemore Hospital criticised after woman suffers brain injury from opioid overdose

Stock photo. A 46-year-old woman suffered a brain injury and permanent memory loss after being given excessive opioids at Middlemore Hospital during a busy night in 2021. The Health and Disability Commissioner found Health NZ Counties Manukau failed to ensure adequate staffing, monitoring, and protocols, despite the patient’s complex medical history and multiple sedating medications. Although opioid doses were within recommended limits, the woma…