Staff shortages at Rotorua Hospital are so severe that patients are being sent back to the emergency department (ED) from other wards, according to the junior doctors’ union. Health New Zealand has now promised to consult with staff over its plan for ED specialists from Rotorua to also cover Taupō ED, which is short five doctors. However, staff are doubtful that management can find a solution.

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A senior doctor at Rotorua Hospital, who wished to remain anonymous, said the ED team was already dangerously understaffed before being asked to cover Taupō’s rosters. The doctor mentioned that their request earlier this year to recruit two more senior doctors was declined, which was disappointing as it would not have even brought them up to recommended staffing levels.

The doctor expressed frustration with management’s decision and the recent announcement to stretch their workforce even thinner to cover Taupō ED. Staff have lost trust in management, despite Health New Zealand’s promise to consult with them.

Currently, Rotorua ED has just 12 senior doctors, most of whom are part-time, while similar-sized EDs have between 18 and 21 consultants. Deborah Powell, head of the Resident Doctors Association, said the shortage is even worse in medical wards, where doctors are responsible for critical patients, such as those who have had heart attacks or strokes.

ED doctors were told they had to admit medical patients due to the shortage, adding to their already heavy workload. Taking senior doctors from Rotorua to staff Taupō ED would result in less supervision and backup for trainee consultants, Powell added. She emphasized that Rotorua doctors are overwhelmed and cannot also cover Taupō.

Lyn Logan, ED delegate for the Nurses Organisation at Rotorua Hospital, said she understood management’s rationale to keep Taupō ED open but described it as “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” Both Rotorua and Taupō EDs need more doctors, and without proper resources, they will not meet the government’s six-hour target for ED wait times. Logan expressed concern that patients would suffer due to long wait times and insufficient care.

Taupō Mayor David Trewavas said he was reassured by Te Whatu Ora management that there would be no loss of service at the ED. They are working to fill the five-doctor shortage, with some doctors potentially having to travel in the meantime.

Health Minister Shane Reti acknowledged the critical workforce shortages in emergency departments nationwide and emphasized the need for ongoing front-line hiring. Despite this, Te Whatu Ora chief executive Margie Apa informed staff that recruitment for clinical roles is on hold to manage current overspending. Recruitment will proceed once budgets are confirmed, and roles are within budget or replacing existing ones.