Robin Gauld: Otago University Professor on the issues caused by the lack of access to specialist healthcare

Published: June 6, 2024, 9:50 p.m.

Lack of access to specialist healthcare is having a significant effect on patients and health professionals.\xa0

An Otago University report has found that between 2018 and 2022 the risk of being declined following a GP referral increased by 5.2% per year.\xa0

Co-author Professor Robin Gauld told Mike Hosking that it's more than 17,000 extra people being denied over that time.\xa0

He says there are longstanding issues with workforce, availability of staff such as theatre technicians, and funding.\xa0

LISTEN ABOVE\xa0

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.