Amanda Field says the staffing shortages, run down buildings and lack of bed space is now the worst she's ever seen it.

HealthNZ was only aware of one of the cases of patients becoming sicker during delays at the hospital before media reports surfaced.

In February, the Association of Medical Specialists publicly raised concerns about Nelson Hospital being forced to operate at one stage without a medical registrar due to understaffing issues.

Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah ... One of the challenges Nelson Hospital has in terms of bed block is that it is significantly overwhelmed with medical ...