Photo: Unsplash/ Piron Guillaume

The country is short of healthcare workers across the board

Wait times for elective surgery - operations scheduled in advance as they're not a medical emergency - have ballooned in recent months

have ballooned in recent months It's also set targets to shorten wait times in EDs and for elective treatments.

Commissioner Lester Levy says cuts won't affect frontline staff, but medical professionals are saying otherwise

Patients are facing months of wait-time for elective surgeries, while others are choosing the private route and spending thousands for timely treatment.

The health system is under pressure, with workers raising the alarm about staff shortages and burnout, and patients

πŸ“°

Continue Reading on RNZ

This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.

Read Full Article β†’