Hawkes Bay gastroenterology waiting list pressure

Hundreds of Hawkes Bay people are waiting for gastroenterology procedures as the health board desperately appeals for general surgeons to help with the workload of its sole specialist.

Malcolm Arnold, Hawkes Bay Regional Hospital's only gastroenterologist and a part-time general physician, said 458 patients were on his waiting list.

Because of his intense workload, Dr Arnold is having to do the paperwork in his own time at home.


The hospital is trying to deal with the most urgent cases first.

Those with highest priority include patients with bowel cancer or cancer of the oesophagus.