Health NZ says family members were never expected to care for Christchurch hospital patients, in place of healthcare assistance

RNZ reports the hospital had so few assistants on June 22, managers were asked to see if patients' family members could sit with them.

Health New Zealand's Canterbury director of nursing Becky Hickmott, says there were a large volume of patients, coupled with a significant number of staff who rang in sick at short notice.

She says nursing resources could be allocated slightly differently, if it's known a family member is at the bedside of the patient, and could escalate any care concerns - it was not suggested family would provide care.