Hon Tony Ryall MP
National Party Health Spokesman

14 May 2007

Auckland hospitals facing more doctor shortages?

There are indications that doctor shortages at Auckland hospitals may soon be approaching crisis point, with one hospital now pleading for GPs to help maintain services, says National Party Health spokesman Tony Ryall.

Auckland DHB has placed an advertisement on the leading GP website nzdoctor.co.nz calling for GPs to provide locum services at Starship Hospital from late May until November. This period coincides with the training periods for junior doctors.

"We understand that hospitals throughout Auckland are facing even greater staff shortages than last year when it was reported that there were over 90 (7%) house officer and registrar positions vacant in greater Auckland," says Mr Ryall.

"Sources say next few months will be significantly worse. This is not limited to paediatrics and includes other vital specialties.

"What planning is underway to deal with the consequences of the growing number of vacant positions? One senior doctor has described the shortages to us as 'approaching crisis level'.

"Why would Starship be calling on GPs to fill vacancies if there were enough hospital doctors available?

"What's happening is that New Zealand hospitals are being bogged down in endless bureaucracy and this is making it even harder for the health system to retain staff.

"What will worry Aucklanders is that unless these shortages can be fixed, services will be affected. If there are too many staff vacancies, wards will be closed.

"It is time for the Government to assure the people of Auckland that hospital services will not be affected by these doctor shortages.

"Under Labour our hospitals have become very unattractive places to work due to the difficulties in getting the work done, and doctors are voting with their feet."

ENDS

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