The Greymouth Star reported last month that the last remaining private physiotherapist in Greymouth intends leaving next year, and hopes to sell his practice in the meantime.
The West Coast District Health Board should have about 10 full-time physiotherapists, but with a retirement and a resignation from next month, it will have less than 40% staffing levels.
Canterbury DHB executive director allied health Stella Ward said all patients were triaged and the most urgent attended to first.
"Our focus is on hospital inpatients and looking after those in the community at high risk - for instance people who have been discharged after knee surgery or fractures, pregnant women suffering from musculoskeletal pain, and people who are in the final stages of palliative care," Ms Ward said.
Allied health associate director Jane George said ongoing challenges with recruiting, combined with staff leaving or retiring meant the West Coast DHB was "very short-staffed".
"A decision has been made to discontinue Hokitika-based DHB physiotherapy services in the short term, until we are able to recruit to that position.
"We realise this could provide difficulties for some patients, and we have sent letters to all current Hokitika patients with options for them," she said.
"Referrals, if accepted under our usual triage processes, can be placed on the Greymouth outpatient waiting list. Or patients can contact one of the two private physiotherapy services in Hokitika."
Work was under way to encourage more new graduates to consider working in DHB settings, but many DHBs were struggling to recruit.
"The West Coast DHB and our transalpine neighbours at the Canterbury DHB have been looking offshore for potential physiotherapy staff, with some success. That work continues but we expect it may still take some months before we have new staff on board," Ms George said.
It was likely that many patients referred for outpatient physiotherapy across the district would experience longer than usual wait times.
"We are mindful that delays can be extremely uncomfortable for our patients and we apologise that we cannot accommodate everyone's needs immediately.
"We are re-doubling our efforts to recruit. Where someone feels their health is being compromised by the delays, they should get back in touch with their general practice to discuss options."
Greymouth physiotherapist John Olsen intends leaving the Musculoskeletal Clinic in March 2018.
Three DHB physiotherapists have recently left Greymouth for the northern hemisphere.
- Laura Mills and Janna Sherman
