The weekend ahead is looking bleak for Waikato residents needing medical help, as doctor shortages drag on.

The NZ Resident Doctors Association has reported patient care was significantly reduced at Waikato Hospital this past weekend due to a 60 per cent shortage of doctors. According to NZRDA, the number of medical registrars at the hospital dropped to just 40 per cent of the usual level, exacerbating ongoing staffing issues in the region.

“Medical registrars are crucial for managing patients with serious conditions such as heart attacks, pneumonia, strokes, and diabetes,” says NZRDA national secretary Dr Deborah Powell.

“This three-month period we have half the number of medical registrars we need to staff the hospital, but things are getting worse with this last weekend down to 40 per cent and next weekend looking equally if not more bleak.”

Screenshot of email sent to staff addressing the shortage in registrars. Photo: Supplied.

Screenshot of email sent to staff addressing the shortage in registrars. Photo: Supplied.

Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand Waikato has been approached for its response.

On Monday, Te Whatu Ora interim national chief medical officer Dr Nick Baker announced more than 500 new doctors will soon join Health NZ hospitals.

“More than 500 soon-to-be doctors have been guaranteed roles as first-year house officers across Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora hospitals upon graduating at the end of the year.

“This injection of newly qualified doctors, commencing in January 2025, will make a real difference in helping to meet the health needs of the communities they will serve.”

Dr Baker emphasised Health NZ’s commitment to developing a robust and sustainable clinical workforce to improve health outcomes for all Kiwis.

“To date, 538 medical students who are in their final year of study have been matched into roles, with a further 25 joining the national talent pool which is accessible to all employers.

“Being able to bolster our health workforce with this many talented new medical professionals sends a clear message to those currently in study and those considering a career in health that there continues to be local opportunities for health graduates.”

Dr Powell, however, is critical of the current state of Waikato’s healthcare system, saying doctors there are “burning out”.

“They are also susceptible to winter illnesses exacerbating an already dire situation. Waikato has no answer to the situation other than to reduce the care patients would normally get from their doctors.”

Dr Powell says one area service that has been reduced is for surgical patients who in addition to their surgical condition have a medical problem.

“It is normal for the medical registrars to assist medical management of surgical patients, but this service has had to be withdrawn simply because we don’t have enough doctors to do the work.”

NZRDA has been collaborating with Te Whatu Ora to address the shortage, but he notes this progress has stalled as management shifts focus to budgetary concerns.

“For all the rhetoric about strengthening front-line care, the fact is that both patient care and the workforce we need to provide that care are suffering and the situation is getting worse.”

“We have options, we can strengthen our workforces, but Te Whatu Ora needs to support us to do so which currently is not happening.”

Dr Baker reiterated Health NZ’s priority to train and employ a “homegrown workforce”. He outlined that the matching process places applicants into three categories: New Zealand citizens who graduated from New Zealand, New Zealand citizens who graduated from Australia, and international graduates who studied in New Zealand.

So far, 96 per cent of applicants have been matched with roles, including 99 per cent of New Zealand graduates.

“We remain committed to working with unmatched graduates to find them roles with Health NZ as quickly as possible,” says Dr Baker.

The talent pool is set to open earlier than planned on Tuesday, August 27.

“Congratulations to all successful applicants so far and we look forward to welcoming you to the Health NZ whānau,” says Dr Baker.