Wellington Hospital's baby unit in crisis

Wellington Hospital's neo-natal unit is in crisis as staff shortages threaten the safety of the most vulnerable babies.

The unit has had to refuse babies from outside the region to take pressure off overworked junior doctors, the Dominion Post reported today.

The Resident Doctors Association said the situation had reached crisis point and dedicated staff were leaving because of the intense workload.

Seven junior doctors should be available to work in the neo-natal unit, which cares for the region's sickest infants, including premature births.

However, the team is three short with one member on sick leave for weeks, a resignation and a vacant position -- leaving only four people to care for 29 babies, out of a total capacity of 34.

Capital and Coast District Health Board chief operating officer Meng Cheong said the unit had temporarily closed to babies from outside the region from last Friday to reduce demands on the remaining junior doctors.

Infants were being referred to neo-natal units elsewhere and the arrangement was expected to last for several weeks.

Hospital managers met this week to discuss union and staff concerns at staffing levels and have pledged to "vigorously" recruit more doctors and locums, nationally and internationally.

"We are closely monitoring the current staffing situation in our neo-natal unit and continue to take steps to actively address it," Mr Cheong said.

Steps taken to reduce demands on the unit's junior doctors include freeing them from non-essential paperwork that can be deferred.

- NZPA