Staff at Palmerston North Hospital are working extra shifts to cope with demand, but one doctor warns that the situation is unsustainable and has pleaded for assistance from Health NZ.

Labour MP Tangi Utikere has written to Health Minister Simeon Brown, expressing concerns about the critical shortage of gastroenterology specialists at Palmerston North Hospital, especially as the last specialist is set to leave next month.

The gastroenterology service at Palmerston North Hospital in New Zealand is facing a crisis as its last two doctors are set to depart, citing heavy workload as a primary reason.

The health authority finally confronted patients over paused procedures at Palmerston North Hospital.

A long-term gastroenterology patient has expressed concern about future care at Palmerston North hospital, as the last permanent doctor in the specialty is set to leave next month.

Health New Zealand has refuted claims of poor planning regarding a shortage of gastroenterology doctors at Palmerston North Hospital, attributing the staffing challenges to a specialist's retirement and unexpected illnesses among staff.

A general practitioner in Manawatū, New Zealand, has voiced concerns regarding a severe shortage of staff within the gastroenterology department at Palmerston North Hospital.