Health New Zealand's now backtracked on a proposal to trial using maternity overflow at Wellington Hospital - for ED patients

An email to staff last week revealed the plan, greeted by outrage.

The Nurses' Organisation says the assumption maternity beds were being left vacant - was not accurate.

NZNO Kaiwhakahaere, Kerri Nuku, says it was a misrepresentation to call the beds empty - with occupancy fluctuating depending on births.

She says members were upset about the implication - suggesting maternity nurses and midwives aren't working hard enough.