'It is a challenge' - Health NZ denies poor planning led to lack of gastro doctors at Palmerston North Hospital

Health NZ says Palmerston North Hospital has not been left without any gastroenterologists because of poor planning on its part.

The last permanent gastroenterology doctor has now left Palmerston North Hospital, leaving the region's digestive health needs in the hands of locum and temporary specialists.

Health NZ Chief Clinical Officer Dr Richard Sullivan said after one specialist retired and a couple left because of unexpected illness, it put a lot of pressure on the remaining gastroenterology staff.

"Because the opportunities are significant both within New Zealand and overseas, they started looking for other roles."

He said they all left for other opportunities over the past nine months.

Dr Sullivan said a recruitment process to replace them was underway, and specialists from surrounding areas were providing emergency care in the meantime.

"When you're trying to recruit specialist doctors into provincial New Zealand, it is a challenge.

"That's why we're relying on our colleagues across the region to keep this community safe, or as safe as we can."

He said Health NZ had similarly struggled to recruit specialist doctors into Gisborne Hospital last year.