10 senior doctors shortage in Dargaville, Kaitaia, and Kawakawa hospitals leads to telehealth limitations and high-risk issues.
Far North hospitals face an "acute" doctor shortage with Dargaville, Kaitaia and Kawakawa hospitals lacking 10 senior doctors, resulting in ad hoc resident doctor cover, telehealth limitations, and high-risk issues including medical errors and limited access to services. Concerns rise as hospitals struggle to provide safe 24/7 care, resorting to telehealth and nurses overnight, with critically ill patients transferred to Whangārei.
July 28, 2024
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