Palmerston North Hospital is being urged to address a slew of health and safety issues

The Nurses Organisation yesterday issued provisional improvement notices to its Emergency Department yesterday.

The notices flag concerns over an overcrowded work environment, untenable workloads and staff wellbeing and stress.

The union says there are critical and unprecedented shortages.

MidCentral District Health Board legally has just eight days to address the issues highlighted.

Union recommendations include cancelling elective surgeries and closing outpatient clinics.