A shortage of doctors and full general practices in Oamaru has led to waiting lists and approaches to Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean about the problem.
Yesterday, Mrs Dean said Oamaru's five practices were full and one was facing difficulties replacing staff.
That was confirmed by Dr Ross Fieldes, of North End Medical Centre, who said practices were limited by workload and doctors' abilities to take extra patients.
However, that did not mean people were missing out.
Doctors operated an emergency roster system to cater for people from out of town or who were not registered with a practice. That could be accessed through the emergency doctor listing in the phone book.
Mrs Dean is investigating how she can help, including what Government assistance may be available through the graduate student bonding programme. She plans to discuss the issue with the Southern Primary Health Organisation.
The issue was brought to her attention by staff in her Oamaru electorate office concerned at approaches from people unable to register with doctors.
"They [staff] could see a trend and contacted medical centres throughout Oamaru, finding they were full and some had waiting lists," she said.
Some of the pressure was due to people relocating to Oamaru, including from Christchurch.
North Otago was very well served by medical staff, but there were times when the community needed to support them as best it could.
Mrs Dean emphasised that medical practices were private businesses, but she felt she could help by highlighting the issue.
One thing the community could do was promote Oamaru and North Otago as a great place to live.
Oamaru had everything an incoming doctor's family could require. The town was attractive, had a history and a stable work force. There were numerous attractions and its situation close to lakes, the sea, mountains, skiing and fishing made it attractive.
"We're progressive and we're productive. The area is economically independent with good, secure prospects ahead of it," she said.
Mrs Dean said she would talk with the Southern PHO to see what could be done to help, as well as what assistance may be available to attract young doctors, including whether the Government's bonding scheme suited North Otago and could be accessed.
Dr Fieldes said a doctor could look after only so many patients. He estimated there were nine fulltime equivalent doctors in Oamaru, plus locums.
Practices were looking for extra doctors, with varying degrees of success, he said.
