Public Safety Concerns Grow As Doctors Silenced Over Health System Failings

3 July 2025

Doctors across New Zealand say they are being silenced from speaking out about potentially dangerous conditions in the public health system—fearing employment consequences, professional isolation, and even job loss. Some have chosen early retirement rather than continue working under what they describe as a “climate of fear,” raising serious concerns about public safety.

Dr Renee Liang, a respected medical specialist and writer, surveyed colleagues across the health sector for an article published by North & South. She received dozens of anonymous responses, revealing a consistent and alarming theme: doctors do not feel safe to speak publicly—even when patient wellbeing is at risk.

“Feeling safe is a rare feeling among most of my colleagues right now,” says Dr Liang. “There’s a real fear that just speaking out will draw a target on your back.”

Under current contractual obligations, senior doctors are required to report safety issues—but many say that doing so can result in formal complaints, retaliation, or even termination.

One anonymous doctor described the pressure vividly:

“I’ve never seen anything like the current environment. The public should be demanding transparency—monthly updates from every hospital department about staff losses, waiting times, under-resourcing. It’s so much worse than people imagine.”

Dr Liang asked her colleagues two simple questions:

1. Would you feel comfortable speaking to the media about important health issues in your area of expertise? If not, why not?
2. Do you believe clinicians are being explicitly or implicitly discouraged from making public comment?

The responses came in within hours—from junior doctors to senior clinicians and health leaders. The overwhelming consensus: it is unsafe to speak out—whether in public hospitals or even in primary care.

“HR processes are being weaponised to silence otherwise powerful professionals,” says Dr Liang. “This isn’t just about protecting reputations—it’s costing lives.”

Further inflaming the issue, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour recently referred to health professionals as “muppets,” a comment that many in the sector found demeaning and dangerous. Seymour also mocked Dr George Laking, a prominent medical oncologist, via a social media meme after Laking expressed concern over proposed legislative changes to health regulation.

“When politicians attack experts, it sends a chilling message across the system,” says Dr Liang. “Instead of addressing the issues, they’re using public platforms to intimidate and deflect.”

Doctors also report deep concern over job insecurity—particularly for those on temporary contracts, locum placements, or in training roles. One respondent said:

“Even contacting my MP feels risky. You wonder how deep the influence goes. With no job security, speaking out could blacklist you from future roles.”

The impact on the health system is already being felt, says Dr Liang:

“At least three colleagues I know personally have taken early retirement because they couldn’t raise safety concerns without fear of reprisal. Others are leaving quietly, wracked with guilt.”

Haematologist Dr Ruth Spearing CNZM added:

“Speaking out is so important. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel fear—but it was worth it.”

Dr Liang concludes:

“The public deserves transparency. Instead, clinicians are being silenced by a system more focused on managing optics than fixing structural issues. And when that happens—patients suffer.

“Clinical decision making requires good communication; we need to be able to talk openly about systems issues if we’re to reduce clinical errors. How can we advocate for the things our health system needs to be urgently better at if we can’t even call out what is happening? How can we continue to practice ethically and fairly?”

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