The prognosis for patients seeking appointments at Balclutha's largest general practice is for long waits, after it was hit by its second doctor shortage in as many years.
Patients of Balclutha General Practitioners Ltd are advised to book weeks in advance to secure appointments, following the failure of two overseas doctors to arrive at the practice, Clutha Health First manager Ray Anton said.
Ideally, the mainly rural practice operated with four full-time equivalent doctors, but this had been cut in half following the departure of three doctors, two of who shared a position, he said.
The practice, which was bought by Clutha Health First in 2008, had secured two overseas doctors to arrive in May, but their failure to arrive had placed services under "extreme pressure".
Mr Anton said a Russian doctor based in Spain had failed to pass the necessary English language requirements, and it was hoped he would be in Balclutha early next year.
In the other case a female Australian doctor had yet to make the move across the Tasman, and it was hoped she would arrive at the end of the year, Mr Anton said.
To reduce pressure the practice had sourced locums - when available - and was asking patients with routine appointment to book them weeks in advance.
Mr Anton said the use of locums was expensive and did not help "long-term relationship building with patients".
"It is not an ideal situation."
He confirmed some patients were upset over the changes and it was hoped the situation would be rectified by Christmas,The practice would not refuse anyone "at risk", but severely ill people were urged to continue to contact 111 in the event of an emergency.
In April last year the practice experienced a severe doctor shortage, after three staff left to work overseas, which affected patients' ability to secure appointments.
