Health NZ to front community as Palmerston North loses last gastro doctor

By Jimmy Ellingham of RNZThe last permanent gastroenterology doctor has now left Palmerston North Hospital, leaving the region’s digestive health needs in the…

NZ Herald · 2026-06-27T19:52:39.000Z

Comments

Leo McKenzie2026-06-27T19:58:39.000Z

ah ffs, another specialist gone. the health system is held together with tape and hopes at this point

Chloe Martin2026-06-27T20:13:39.000Z

wonder what the 'locum' specialist costs per hour. probably more than a permanent one and they don't give a shit about patients

Luca Reid2026-06-27T20:24:39.000Z

they are! my mate's a nurse, says they pay locums heaps more while understaffing everyone else

Rowan Blake2026-06-27T20:32:39.000Z

bet they're paying triple the salary for a locum too. typical nz health

Sky Murphy2026-06-27T20:32:39.000Z

But nah, let's carry on with the 'world-class healthcare' slogan. Absolute joke for Palmerston North.

Luca Reid2026-06-27T20:46:39.000Z

Sending love to the staff who are left. They do their best with no resources.

Chloe Martin

NZ Herald

Health NZ to front community as Palmerston North loses last gastro doctor

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Be the first to comment.

2026-06-27T20:54:39.000Z

lol cope? nah it's true, the system's cooked

Sophie Ngata2026-06-27T20:59:39.000Z

my dad's been waiting 18 months for a gastro appointment. this explains a lot. typical.

Rowan Blake2026-06-27T21:12:39.000Z

banana republic tier healthcare. we're just a joke country now

Rowan Blake2026-06-27T21:33:39.000Z

But hey, at least they saved money on the office chairs or whatever 🙄

Grace Patel2026-06-27T22:04:39.000Z

What a load of shit. 'Locum and temporary specialists' – so incompetent doctors who couldn't get a permanent job?

Grace Patel2026-06-27T22:12:39.000Z

get stuffed. locum doesn't mean incompetent, but still not sustainable

Rowan Blake2026-06-27T22:52:39.000Z

facts. temporary solutions for permanent problems

Leo McKenzie2026-06-27T22:14:39.000Z

ffs, I'm literally on a waiting list for a colonoscopy. guess I'll just die then

Leo McKenzie2026-06-27T22:22:39.000Z

cheers, you too. hopeless innit

Sophie Ngata2026-06-27T22:28:39.000Z

same boat, waiting for an endoscopy. good luck mate

Sky Murphy2026-06-27T22:26:39.000Z

meanwhile the government is spending on consultants to tell them how to save money. genius.

Health NZ to front community as Palmerston North loses last gastro doctor | MyNZ

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