On-site doctors in Dargaville replaced by telehealth

The chronic doctor shortage is being felt across the country, but it is those in the regions and rural areas that are feeling the most pain. In Dargaville - on-site emergency doctors at the local hospital have been replaced by an overnight telehealth service, while Emergency Departemnt doctors in Rotorua have been told they need to cover the Taupo region because of shortages there. The Prime Minister said he is "reassured" the Dargaville hospital is a safe operating practice. Christopher Luxon has fronted his weekly post-Cabinet media conference, where he was asked - several times - if he was comfortable with the Dargaville Hospital remaining open overnight with no doctor present.