Podcasts Other The Mike Hosking Breakfast Dr David Newman: General and Development Paediatrician on the medical specialist shortage in the Bay of Plenty and the West Coast of the South Island

Dr David Newman: General and Development Paediatrician on the medical specialist shortage in the Bay of Plenty and the West Coast of the South Island

Published: Sept. 28, 2023, 6:49 p.m.

The South Island\u2019s West Coast and Bay of Plenty are facing the worst medical specialist shortages.\xa0

The problem is so severe people in some regions have to travel a hundred kilometres to see a paediatrician.\xa0

The shortfalls \u2014including oncologists and dermatologists\u2014 are contributing to lengthening waitlists.\xa0

Te Whatu Ora data shows the number of patients waiting more than a year for treatment is growing in 14 out of 20 districts.\xa0

General and Development Paediatrician Dr David Newman told Mike Hosking that they're trying their best to stop the problem from sinking further.\xa0

He says their waiting lists are horrendous and they don't know how to fix them without more staff.\xa0

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