It comes after patients shared their horror stories of waiting times with the Otago Daily Times including a patient waiting 18 months for surgery on a bulged disc in their back and another person still being on a waiting list for a hysterectomy after almost a year.
Patient Tony Van Kempen, who is waiting on treatment for surgery after enduring a couple of cysts, torn meniscus and osteoarthritis in his left knee, managed to get a referral from his GP, only to be "sent back" by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (HNZ), which said Mr Van Kempen would not be able to see a specialist at this time.
"We would like to offer an appointment to every patient referred to us but unfortunately that is not possible," HNZ said to Mr Van Kempen in a letter.
"The number of referrals we are receiving is greater than the number of clinical appointments we can make available.
"As a matter of fairness, we must offer the clinic appointments to those people with the greatest clinical need."
Mr Van Kempen, a tractor driver from Kurow who works in Oamaru, said that was not good enough.
"The only other option is going private and pay for it myself. Or just carry on and wait till I can’t walk any more.
"I got a cortisone injection because I hardly bloody could get my boots on. And, you know, two months later, it’s worn off."
Mr Van Kempen said he even got an MRI scan of his own accord in order to speed up the process, but his problems had worsened since he developed a hernia several months ago.
He expected to see a specialist about this latest complication in September, but so far he had heard "nothing".
"Altogether the system can’t get much worse for me. Absolutely no joy," he said.
Mr Van Kempen is not alone in waiting.
The region does not fare much better when it comes to the wait times for a specialist appointment, only 56% waiting less than four months — making it the third-worst region.
HNZ group director of operations for Southern district Craig Ashton has said several factors have affected long wait lists across all districts, including increased acute demand, the increasing number of patient referrals, workforce shortages and recent industrial action.
It has initiatives under way to address the issues, including:
■ Additional clinics being scheduled for outpatient first specialist appointments and minor procedures.
■ Outsourcing some surgery to private providers for suitable patients.
■ Recruiting additional staff, with several new staff joining in the new year.
Have you been affected by excessive surgery wait times? Email reporters@odt.co.nz
