Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department
Photo: Supplied / Te Whatu Ora
A major power outage at Christchurch Hospital has affected all their systems tonight.
A one hour power cut, due to what the hospital calls a network outage, left some areas in total darkness earlier this evening.
Generators did not automatically connect when the power failed.
There were 478 patients in the hospital, including 96 in the emergency department, when the blackout happened.
Power has since been restored – although the Waipapa acute services building is on generator power.
The failure affected phones and computers as well.
The Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha Canterbury Facebook page announced the outage had affected their power, IT and phone systems.
“Unless it’s an emergency, please seek alternative care,” the post said.
Te Whatu Ora also recommended contacting Healthline for non-urgent care and advice.
“The 24 Hour Surgery is open and is only able to see people with Urgent health needs,” the Facebook post said.
“If it’s not urgent you will have to wait to be seen.”
Power company Orion told RNZ the issue was internal and an electrician is currently on site.
Christchurch hit a high of nearly 34C today, but it is not known if the heat is a factor in the power outage.