A nurse working in Auckland's North Shore Hospital ED says her colleagues have been forced to declare a 'state of emergency' - because of chronic understaffing.

Dozens of Nurses Organisation members signed a letter to Health NZ stating they can no longer remain silent about the daily risk to patients, workers and the community. 

NZNO delegate and nurse, Jean Moor, says some days this winter they've worked at more than 300 percent full.

"People are living longer, people are getting sicker, we've actually got a bigger population base in the area, so we're actually looking after more and more people with less and less resources." 

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