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Doctors in the southern region say patients with severe skin conditions are suffering burn like symptoms, blistering and unbearable itching, without access to specialist care.
There are no skin specialists working in public hospitals in the whole of the South Island and Health New Zealand cannot say when the situation will change.
Last month, the only two locum dermatologists in the south resigned.
Since then, Health NZ has not been accepting any dermatology outpatient referrals or appointments, referring patients back to their family doctor.
Health NZ says it is actively seeking locum cover and trying to recruit permanent dermatologists.
Hospitals in other parts of the country also often rely on locum dermatologists when they cannot make permanent appointments.
The situation is alarming doctors and patients.
Kathryn speaks with Dunedin GP Dan Pettigrew and the President of the Dermatological Society, Dr Louise Reiche.
