Pressure on neonatal intensive care unit numbers is tight but manageable, the Government said today.National health's spokesman Tony Ryall said there were no cots available throughout New Zealand according to the neonatal service website

Associate Health Minister Steve Chadwick said this information was incorrect as it did not take into account extra cots available at Middlemore Hospital.

Ms Chadwick said the number of available cots around the country changed rapidly, but her most up-to-date information was that there were four available at Middlemore Hospital.There was always pressure on neonatal intensive units this time of year, but it was being well handled, Ms Chadwick said.

"At present there are at least 80 neonatal intensive care (level-3) cots, with capacity to increase, depending on staffing. What this figure doesn't show is the flexibility that our neo-natal system has to provide additional care," Ms Chadwick said.

"Following a 2004 review of neonatal care, this Government expanded the provision of neo-natal care. In 2006 Middlemore hospital had its capacity doubled from 6 to 12 intensive care cots, and level-3 cot numbers will increase to 86 from early 2009, when both Wellington and Hamilton neonatal units open."

Mr Ryall said the situation was a crisis and the Government had ignored warnings about the need for more cots five years ago.